under Gody and justice for all. >> Roll call. Mr. Toad. >> Mr. Vishel Patel >> here. >> Miss Pang >> here. >> Mr. Shei. Miss White >> here. >> Miss Angina Patel
>> here. >> Mr. Lugo >> here. >> Mr. Ronak Patel >> here. >> Mr. Ero >> here. >> Mr. Azerella >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Statement. >> Yes. In accordance with the provisions
of the open public meetings act, the Edison Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the board of education administrative offices and posted on the board's website. >> Thank you. Uh in accordance with NGSA
section 10412, that Township Board of Education adjud confidential session for the purpose of discussing property acquisition. Do I have a motion? Motion >> by Mr. Luga.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I I >> We will be back around 7:30 p.m. Thank you. >> Reconvene to open session. Do I have a motion to open? >> Motion. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. So we are going to start with the student recognition for JPC1's high school band and choir team a couple of weeks back. They went to Disney Florida and came back with numerous awards at a national level. So we want to recognize
them. >> Great. Thank you so much board president Patel. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I hope all is well. Um yeah, you know, one of the uh one of the great uh joys of my position is to celebrate the accomplishments uh of our students uh and to show you where the rubber
actually meets the road. And this program would not be as successful um not only without the uh support of our students and our community uh but for the teachers and the administrators that lead those particular pieces. Uh and tonight I am going to turn the microphone over uh to Mr. Lee and Dr.
Verie, who should get a big round of applause right now to talk a little bit about the program. Perfect. Grab that mic. Grab that mic. Just going to pick it up like this. Sorry. Very nice. So, uh, thank you so
much everybody. Thank you for the board of education for approving our trip. Uh, it was wonderful. And we also like to give a special shout out to, uh, Dr. Kim and Miss Watowski and the admission admission of uh JP Stevens. Um this trip
was happening during the TSA shutdown and it was very scary getting on a plane and you know ICE agents and all this stuff happening and we had a plan executed. We had meetings and we felt very safe and secure. So thank you so much Dr. Kim and Missy for your help and
guidance and I'd like to have Dr. Verie talk about some of the wonderful learning experiences we had on our trip. All right. So, I just wanted to inter uh also add that prior to our clinic in Florida, the students participated in a
clinic at Rollins College. Rollins College is the alma mater to Mr. Rogers. So, um and at the faculty was very impressed by the caliber of our playing. um they're saying that many of our our program is at the at the college level
that we were doing some of the college literature that they were studying. I also want to mention one of our students uh Joel Onate. He is a senior and he is going to be going to Monontlair State University and he composed an original
composition. He's going to Monontlair State for bass uh performance and composition. So one of the faculty members said that it was an amazing an original and mature composition. So we are very very proud of Joel. Could Joel
could you please stand up? >> So Mr. Lee and I are very proud of our students and um and do you have anything else yet? >> Yeah. So so just so you know what the competition went. It's called World Strides Heritage Festival and it was held at the sound stage of Universal
Studios where a lot of our 90s um shows were filmed for Nickelodeon. Um our students were taken to the stage and the judges uh from around the country were listening and they were just blown away from our skills and uh our students executed themselves with working really
well under pressure and um sounding amazing. Um, in terms of of what we won, our chamber orchestra was one of the was the best group out of 30 bands, orchestras, and choirs across the country. So, we really Yeah.
Um, Paige Wang received the best soloist. Um, our chamber orchestra got gold. Our our concert orchestra got first place gold in division three. And we also received the adjudicator award. Um, so we're so proud of our students
and we're so happy everything worked out well. We're going to call up uh with their certificates. Some of them are not here, but we're still going to call them up anyway. A lot of certificates there. So, hope yan, you're here. Great. We can save our applause to the end.
Come up here. Yep. Okay. Uh Sam Ogari, Jacqueline B, Parth Patel, Ryan Sandeep, Sahara Krishnan,
Ana Meta, John V Singh, Myra Ahara, Neil Basel, Arnesh, Benjerie, Aonire, Gunarth, Varasi,
Lakshiman, Ramahajam, Anushka, Chennai, Katherine Woo, Shrea Taka, Ana Sam, Samran, Aish, Verma, Ana Sheath,
Ayana, Prrenav, Murthy, Lily, Ready, Athalia, Corin, Lani, Gopal, Dudi, Moan,
Mercy, God, God Gadarapu, He's out of order. It's okay. We're gonna Yeah. Mercy >> God Rau. Okay. Pruth Mahanj Paige Wang Arouch Das.
Keep going. An Seth Arvi Kather Kadunu. Okay. Kefir Kohill if you get Audi's. Thank you. Sar Nar Tuhin Jenna
Brian Si Namya Perini Ara Sham Vashu Agra Sedarth Sirinas Schllo Kumar Supria Shindia
Arya Bajia Gia Bathra Yashwan Balagarasami Aana Sha A is Burma, Anik Sha, Envik Shamain, Muhammad Rahan,
Navarage, Jawahala, Sri Krishna, Abula, Nino Hang, Ian, Sheth, Grace, Ni, Anjin Kumar,
Sorry. Nandini or Sai Kimmani. I went too fast. Uh Rutha Saravan, Vashasi Vangaroo, Joel Anate,
Neve Brailia Patam. Mahesh Ramani, Seir Durham, Deikica Saravan, Aana Hedge, Hope, Yan. Oh, that's it. And we're done. Okay, so
a lot of kids and thank you so much for all your help and support. We appreciate it. >> Thank you, Mr. Lee. Thank you, Dr. Verie. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Um, and maybe a group picture right now too with the board as well. Yeah, perfect. Let's get on down. Great.
Come on. Can I make it? >> Thank you. Cool. >> Okay. Next thing we have is student council representatives uh JP Sevens High School, Miss Anuja Sharma. Good evening everyone. My name is Anuja
Sharma. I am a senior at JP and I am a co-president of the student council. The month of April has been filled with energy, school spirit, and exciting opportunities for our students. One of the highlights this month was a student council event titled Hawk Island, a
reiteration of the previous Mr. JPS. Nominated students came together to participate in competition shows of minute to win it challenges, perform talents, and even dress up in formal wear. Hawk Island truly showcased the spirit and unity of our school community, marking it as a tradition to
remember. Additionally, we were proud to celebrate this year's Hall of Honor inductees at JP Stevens. Every four years, the community comes together to recognize the incredible achievements and contributions of 12 distinguished alumni. Current students volunteer to
assist them in touring the school, followed by an induction assembly and concluded with a reception with a host of snacks and finger foods made by FCCLA. Athletes have continued to give us much to celebrate as well. Our spring sports teams, including track, baseball,
softball, and lacrosse, have been working hard and representing our school with dedication and determination. The boys volleyball team is doing amazing with a record of 10 to one, winning a majority of their games this season. Additionally, junior James Lugo recently
hit 1,000 career assists just last week. Our girls team, our girls lacrosse team has showed promising talent, winning their first game of the season and planning to host their senior night on May 13th. To celebrate all of our sports teams, we hosted a pep rally on April
17th. Students filled outside to cheer their peers on, including track, volleyball, flag football, and tennis. Afterwards, students participated in BOCC games to earn points for their classes. Looking forward, we are so excited for Battle of the Classes in
June, a full day event where students will participate in a series of class games, including a dance and a relay race where one grade will be named Battle of the Classes Champions. Looking ahead, we're preparing for several milestones. AP testing is in the next
coming weeks alongside NJSLA, while our seniors look forward towards some of the most anticipated end of the year events. Prom and graduation is coming soon. We continue to plan activities that make the final months of school meaningful for all students. And as we move through
April, we're excited to foster a spirited environment for everyone. Thank you to everyone for your continued dedication to making our school community so special. >> Thank you. >> Good job. >> The next thing we have is budget
presentation by Mr. tooth and Dr. Lurelli. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Uh good evening ladies and gentlemen. Uh tonight is our um formal budget presentation. Um I know this has been a um much discussed over the uh last few meetings as well as at
our upcoming town hall, but tonight is the official board of education public hearing uh April 28th in relationship to um our budget presentation. Thank you. Okay. So, um, this budget, as you know,
the preliminary budget represented a 12% initial increase. Um, and some of the items that we talked about, uh, in previous meetings were associated with that. And this, uh, budget that the board is going to be voting on tonight represents a revised, uh, version, which
will result in a 6% increase, um, for the upcoming school year. uh you know through uh through a series of of measured revisions uh you know we've substantially reduced this budget um we kept in mind that we wanted to make sure
that there was little impact to the as little impact as possible to the teaching and learning to the programs that we currently have to the extracurricular activities sports programs clubs um and tried to do this through a guided commitment through
fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers here in Edison Township as well to ensure that they are still uh participating in one of the most renowned school districts in all the state of New Jersey. Uh here are just some key um informations in relationship to the
final financial adjustments within the operating fund. Um costs associated with our healthcare adjustment, our bank cap utilization and our capital reserve withdrawal. All of which um my colleague Mr. Toth will touch upon during his portion of the presentation as well.
So you know these reductions right to go from 12 to 6% do not come with um easy choices right you know to achieve this revised budget budget you know the district had to make a series of program and operational adjustments uh the most
significant being uh staffing reductions um in approximately 80 positions and that spans our non you know some non-tender staff members it incorporates retirements which will not be filled positions resignation ations which we will not fill. Um and eliminations
across the board from teachers, power professionals, administrators, central office staff, support staff categories. Um all of those components um are reflected in relationship to this budget. Uh there is a reduction in subscription busing as well um with a
potential recommended fee increase which will be talked about at an upcoming transportation meeting. Uh this budget also does reflect um the elimination of uh prek for the 2026 2027 school year. Um the grant-f funded program. Uh we
will explore opportunities to for future pathways to support to you know to support families through prek as well. We will do that through committee- based uh work also. Um and you know also part of the budget you have to look at you know things that are discretionary right
what are what are some of the things that we have um been that we've afforded the opportunity for students to participate in um that go above and beyond and you know field trips are are part of those pieces right so you know we're going to looking to reduce um
field trips in relationship to the burden that is uh uh afforded by the board um for both you know broader program cost containment and measures, you know, in order to asssure that we're not um looking at other avenues which would be, you know, extra co-curricular
activities or sports programs, things along those lines. So, um these are four of the main areas that we looked at as well too. And in addition to that, um three of the major financial con, you know, components of the preliminary budget, which is, you know, a postponed
playground improvements, right? We had both of those scheduled at some of our elementary schools. Um, and I do say postponed because we, you know, this isn't something that is going to go away. We want to make sure that we revisit these pieces um in in future budget cycles. Uh, the elimination of
air conditioning as well, which was a a substantial loan payment um that we were initially willing to take on in relationship to fulfill the strategic plan um regarding air conditioning for all um the band equipment. So it the the band won't be going without equipment,
but we won't be be replacing the antiquated equipment that has been purchased, I believe, since the 1970s in some of the middle schools. So >> 76 >> 76 1976. So what we'll have to um look at is, you know, a a more measured
approach in replacing these pieces as opposed to um you know, moving forward with a with a one-time component. Um, and listen, at the end of the day, right, when you hear the word cuts, when you hear the word um, you know, the
elimination or reduction, you know, these aren't words that a superintendent or a board of education want to talk about, you know, during a budget hearing, and we haven't had to talk about it for quite some time here in Edison Township. But um in order to move forward in a manner that I think does
not compromise the level and quality of education that this community has been accustomed to, these are the areas um that we were that we addressed, right? So we want to make sure that we're protecting core instruction. Um hopefully you believe that this process
has been transparent with through the town halls, through the posting of the budget. Um you know, board docs going down today obviously didn't help as well. So, you know, our apologies with that, but that was a national outage. Um, and you know, a commitment to long, you know, long range planning moving
forward, right? Uh, you know, the board has been fortunate enough to engage in many projects that address the one thing that was uh paramount, which was overcrowding, right? So, I think the board can successfully say that not only have we solved that, but um we're on a
path to not only uh modernize our spaces, but provide environments that are conducive to teaching and learning. And now I'm going to turn the uh numbers portion of this over to my colleague, Mr. Toth. Mr. Toth. >> Thank you, Dr. Alderelli. Um, so you can
see here budget at a glance uh for the fiscal year 27. We have an operating budget of $352 million of which uh the local tax levy is about 249 million. The anticipated revenue, state aid, and other miscellaneous revenue is about
103. grants and entitlements about 5.9 million bringing our total budget of all of our funds to $358 million. This is about a 5.5% reduction uh in budgeted spending as uh compared
to the fiscal year 26. All right. So these are revenue sources. You have the tax levy. You have our estimated revenue from local sources which is miscellaneous revenue uh rent so on and so forth. um subs subscription busing. Um we also
have our budgeted fund balance, our with our withdrawal from capital reserve, our estimated grants, and that that brings us to our our total uh revenue of $358 million. The tax levy is an increase of 6%. So that obviously is h
Thank you. Uh that's half of what you guys saw in the preliminary budget. Um if you look at our spending on our operating budget, the adequacy level that the DOE um calculates that we're supposed to spend is approximately $340
million in order to deliver a thorough and uh and efficient education to our students. We are spending $352. So we're just barely over adequacy. The other piece to this puzzle is our local tax levy or our our local fair share. Even
with the 6% increase, we're at 249 million. We're supposed to be at about 305. So, we're $55 million short. Um, this problem's not going to go away. Uh, we're going to be seeing this probably next year and years after. Um, add to
the fact that our equalization aid, um, which is part of our state aid, it's our biggest component, I believe we receive, uh, $53 million. Uh, we are supposed to actually only be receiving 40. So you the state is considering us overfunded
and I firmly believe that if the um >> yeah the caps that the uh governor has in place on on increases and cuts stay in place we're still going to see a reduction every year. It it could have been much much worse if those caps
weren't in place. All right, our appropriations, you could see our salaries roughly about 200 millions, benefits about 56 that, you know, makes up approximately 75% of our spending, right? Uh teachers and staff
along with uh bus drivers, custodians, you know, they are what helps the district operate. They are what the district operates. They are the reason why we're able to deliver to our students these um excellent programs and and be uh one of the best uh school
districts in the state of New Jersey. Uh you followed by you have our transportation uh special education uh spending our capital lease outlay. So, our capital outlay of this $20.5 million, $19.5 million is to pay notes
on um loans that we've taken against some of our buildings in order to do construction much like uh a homeowner would do in terms of doing uh a home equity line of credit. We cannot use any of our capital reserve money in order to fund these. they are uh considered
current expenses under um accounting practices and and and gazby. So they are accounted for here in our operating budget. And then you could see so on and so forth as we move down insurance uh curricular and co-curricular uh activities, professional services, charter school tuitions, and our total
operating budget about 352 million. Our total budget about 358 million. All right. So here's our tax levy comparison. This is on a calendar year. U so for the the calendar year 2025, we colle the the uh we collected $235
million. The rate on that was about 3.14 on the average assessed home that we receive uh from the township. We don't the board of ed doesn't assess home values. Um the average school tax, the school portion was about 5,800 bucks.
Now in the calendar year 2026, you'll see that's a different number, right? It says 242 as opposed to the 249. That's goes to the fact that how taxes are collected. A portion of the fiscal year 207 levy is deferred into the calendar year uh 27. So we're only looking at the
calendar year 2026 here in terms of the tax rate. Uh you have valuations up at about 7.5 billion. So you got a $70 million increase in the valuations of properties here and commercial businesses in Edison. So that's good. Tax rate moves up to about 3.2. the so
did the value of the average assessed home. It's about 186.9. You're going to see through December about $183 increase on your school taxes uh through December. So, it's going to climb from
$5,84 to $5,987. So, you'll see $183 increase through December. And then if you take this out of the tw over a 12-month fiscal year, the 12 months meaning July through uh I'm
sorry, July through June 30th, it's about a 29 uh77 uh dollar a month increase. It rounds out to be about, you know, $350 bucks, I believe, over 12 months. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes
this portion of the board presentation in relationship to the budget. I will turn this over back to Mr. Patel. Thank you. I think next section is uh budget hearing public comments for budget only. >> Yes, >> you got to open public comments.
>> Oh, >> open public comments. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to open public comments? >> Motion. >> All in favor? All right. Thank you. How you doing? Uh Arselon from uh Tene Place.
Um, you know, I was looking at the budget that was uh posted the the 12%. Then we we got the drop down to 6%. What I'm wondering is, you know, like
if for three years there was no increase, now everything is more expensive, you know? So, I look through the budget, I'm like, what what went up? So, I have a list of a couple of things that went up. Staff cost. So, this is the board of
ed staff, you know, superintendent, assistant, assistant, assistant, assistant. We got four assistants. Um, it went up $2.9 million just in one year.
In two years, we went from 12 employees to 35. We're losing students, but we need more board of ed members to do what? We don't know. We we we don't know what, you know, the four
assistants do. You know, we can get rid three of them, give uh give Rob a bump in pay, and we we save close to a million dollars. Um, you know, I I I used AI, so AI is telling me some uh some jobs that don't
make any sense. Director of communications. It's $170,000 we're paying this new person. Brand new role. No prior equivalent in the district. Why do we need this? Uh, we have a staff development
supervisor, which look, I understand. I've worked in jobs. You go in and you're like, "Hey, am I doing well in in in my job?" And they give you raises based on how well you're doing. But everybody gets a 3% raise. Every single member got a 3% raise except one. One
person didn't get 3%. They got 18.3% over two years. Why? I don't know. It was uh Jonathan's uh assistant. New new position. Jonathan, you're good at your job. You don't need
an assistant. And we and we don't need to bump her pay. 18% in two years. 9% increase. Why? Who is this person? All right. Some other uh terrible jobs. Videographer. We don't need that. Like, who's taking videos? Grant supervisor,
three new executive secretaries, four technology uh specialist. We have a DEI officer who's Indian, but still in a town where 55% of the people are Asian, everybody's white on the board. Everybody's white on the on the list. I'm looking down the names and I'm like,
you know, what is this? Look, I don't care. I I was born and raised in Jersey. I I relate to these people more. We We know this guy watches football. Like, I relate to these people. But most of these people don't, you know, it doesn't make any sense. Hold on. I lost my page.
Uh textbooks textbooks costs went up. Why? They went up how much percent? I lost my page and I'm losing. Uh oh. Damn. All right. Um,
sorry. Textbooks went up 60%. We lost students. How could it go up 60%. Doesn't make sense. This is uh textbooks and supplies. First of all, supplies. When this when the year starts, I get a list of supplies I need to buy for my
kid. So, what what supplies are we buying for $2 million for these students? You know, is it dry erase markers for the for the teachers? Uh it it doesn't make sense. It's not it's not $2 million worth. Uh number three is a
weird one. I'm going to quickly go over it. It says central services supplies clawed the AI. I don't know if you guys use that. It said it was fraud. It doesn't make sense. It went up 147%. Um so we got to just look at that. It it
there there's no explanation for it on the budget or anything. I used Chad GBT also said the same thing. Doesn't make any sense. So, we got to figure that one out before we vote on anything. Um, okay. We got employee health benefits.
That was a big one. 7.7 million uh dollar increase. $7.7 million is is more than half of our total increase. Um, you know, when uh the year started the the the health insurance, you know, I have
my own business. I get my own health insurance. They try to up mine like 20%. I was like, "What the hell?" I called him. You know, we're brown, we're Asian, we're Yo, I need to save some money. Like, you can't be ripping me off like this. I got it down to like 12%. I don't
know who's doing who's doing the the negotiations here, but we can't go up 7.7 million while losing teachers. You're losing employees and the healthc care is going up. Doesn't make sense.
Um, special ed increase was 25%. Look, we you know, we want these special ed kids, right? We're we're not saying kick them out, but um out of district placement went down to the lowest it's ever been. Uh I don't know how any of this works. I'm reading the budget, so I
don't know. It says uh you know, instead of sending these people off to a a private school, we're going to take them in. We're going to do it all ourselves. I thought that was supposed to be cheaper, but it's more expensive. It's six million more expensive.
Doesn't make sense to me. Um, a as for field trips and such, I just got a permission slip for my son. He's going to Liberty Hall. I'm paying for him to go to the to, you know, to this field trip. Like, what are the costs? A bus?
I got a party bus for my kid's birthday. It was $1,000. I had it for like six hours. I can give you the guy's number. like I I don't you guys are saying you were cutting field trips. What What is that? Also, one last thing um on the on
your presentation. What was the first one, >> sir? It said time. >> Excuse me. Your time is concluded. >> One real >> You're already over your over your time, sir. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Thanks.
Yes. Hi, I'm Sagria 8 Utica. I was just looking at the budget. Couple of questions uh I have. I see some of the uh revenues uh in terms of interest as really low. So I would really like to understand like why the uh interest are
low. Second uh I'll be really point and very brief here. I don't want to take up a lot of time. Uh I see other salaries uh for instruction which is which has rose to like 28%. Can you please help clarify what this
other salaries mean? Then there's uh sorry also same issue uh again for the revenues. Uh I see some of the revenues from summer school as zero. Same issue with rents and royalties and uh interest
from emergency reserve is also zero. Uh I also see uh some restricted miscellaneous revenue they show 750. So this was previous uh pre in previous years this were zero. Uh another line item that I would like to highlight is
the legal services they are quite high from previous years. there are some architecture services which are not clearly mentioned as to where it was used and how it has been uh uh utilized and uh yeah that's pretty much the point items that I have if
anyone can clarify. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next. >> Good evening. My name is Luciana, also known as Miss Lucy. I'm a mother of two daughters, a former teacher in the preschool expansion program here in Addison, and currently a co-director
overseeing classrooms within this program through a private partnership. After watching last Thursday's board of education meeting, I felt deeply saddened to hear that this preschool expansion program described it as a burden. To me, a burden is something very
different. It's being a single mother, working full-time as an immigrant without family support in the US, serving as both provider and protector, not only for my daughters, but also for the students and
families I support every day. That is a responsibility that I carry daily and I carry it with gratitude and purpose. It is difficult to understand how our early childhood education could be viewed as a
burden rather than as a critical foundation for lifelong learning. We are already seeing children enter preschool with speech delays, limited social emotional development, reduced independence and
challenges with basic self-care. These are not small concerns. They are directly impacting a child's ability to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. High quality preschool is not optional. It's
essential to addressing these needs early and effectively. Eliminating the preschool expansion program would be a serious mistake. It would negatively affect families who rely on it to work, support their housework,
and build disability. It would also mean losing dedicated educators who invest their time, energy, and heart into preparing the childrens for success. As a mother, I'm personally grateful that both of my daughters benefit from this
program. Without it, I would not have been able to return to the workforce and contribute more fully to my community. As an educator and now as a co-director, I have worked diligently to meet
expectations and uphold quality. As private partners, we made significant significant investments expanding facilities and creating classrooms to meet the district's needs. And yet today, we have empty classrooms waiting
for children who were never assigned to us. That is not a lack of capacity. It is a missed opportunity. Recently, our program was reviewed by representative from the New Jersey Department of Education and we also
completed internal audit requirements. In both cases, we received a strong positive feedback recognizing our commitment to quality education, Selden Fraster, and dedicated staff serving public school students. As an agis
resident, a mother and an early childhood educator, I respectfully suggest a shift in this approach. The program should prioritize families who truly depend on the preschool to in order to work, support their households,
and build a stability. By doing so, we can serve better the community while also maintaining stronger enrollment and retaining commitment educators. It is also important to acknowledge that private partners made financial commitments based on the expectations
that this program would continue to grow. Despite meeting all the requirements, we are now facing empty seats and uncertainty about the future. We are told that the program is a burden and cancellation has been discussed. In
life, when resources are limited, we adjust. We find solutions. We change strategies. We prioritize what matters most. We do not simply walk away from something that is essential. The same
principle can and should apply here. Our shared goal has always been to support children, serve families, and strengthen our educators. I respectfully ask that you reconsider the perspective that preschool is a
burden. Instead, I urge you to recognize it is as it truly is an investment in the future. One that builds a strong foundations, support working families, and prepares children for longterm
success. Please consider adjusting this strategy rather than eliminating the program. as a mom and here as a early childhood educator
I'm advocating not only for myself because my life was changed by this program and people who knows me can tell you the truth is the truth I'm here advocating also to serve the families on
our community that really needs this program in order to carry their household. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, Susan Campion. Um, Shifer Court in Edison. I've lived in Edison for just
shy of 40 years. I've worked in the district um for 23 years now. I sent three children to the school district. I served on the budget and bond committee. Um it was over 25 years ago when we couldn't get referendums passed in
Edison. And one of the things um you know I'm a taxpayer. I don't want to pay more taxes. But what we drove home to the public and what I think a lot of the people are not understanding or forgetting that the value of our homes
are driven by the school district. And where the taxes are high, it's because the schools are good. We didn't raise the school taxes for 5 years. That's it's passed. It's done. We can't go back
and change that. But everybody came. They yelled and screamed. So the board heard you. They took it from 12% to 6%. There had to be cuts. Um everything has gone up. the electricity to run all
these buildings. We have 19 schools. To heat the schools, it's gone up. Everything has gone up. It is unrealistic to expect this board to continue to only raise to not raise the taxes and only raise them 2%. At this
point, it's it's unsustainable. And yes, the salaries have gone up. It's called contracts. That's the way it works in every school district in the state of New Jersey. the the the employees have a contract. They can't just cut our salaries. It doesn't work
that way. And um you know supplies, it's not just the supplies for the children. It's supplies to run every office in every school building and in the board of education office. They don't run themselves. We need offices to run the district. So, you know, people are
coming up who may not be as educated in education and how it works, but they listen to you. They cut the budget 6%. They need to vote on it. They need to move on. We're dealing with people's lives. There's there's non-certificated staff that don't know whether they're
going to have a job, not have a job. I was in that position. I I was fired from the district when we went through this several years ago. The Paris then were brought back after the the summer of not knowing that they were going to be
brought back. Every teacher gave a thousand dollars from their salary and we were fortunately rehired but at a 25% cut. It took until last year to bring that guide for the Paris back to what it was in 2010 when when all of that
happened. So, you know, I I understand and I and I feel for the people I'm a rep that keep coming to me. What is happening? What is happening? It's the board. That's one your number one job is to pass a budget. And at this point, Dr.
Alderelli, Jonathan, they they've done a lot of work. They did what you asked. They they cut the budget, vote for it, move on. And the public has to understand. You cannot expect a 0% budget with the the price of everything. They feed children. The price of food
has gone up. Everything has gone up. A a 0% is ridiculous. And yes, did some of these board members run on that? They did. But come on, everybody. Politicians, they want to get elected. They say things that are not don't it's not always true. We need to move on. And
it's not good for the district to not vote on this tonight and let it go to the county and and we don't know what's going to happen. We've seen that before when our own town decimated the budget when it didn't didn't pass through the board. So, um you know, I'm urging you
to to just make a decision and and move on and for this town to understand that you have to raise the taxes and your house is valued because of the schools. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Good evening. I'm Adam Glenn. I'm the CEO of the JCC of Middle Sex County, one of your private uh partners in the preschool expansion program. and I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you. I I understand and I think all or
nearly all the people in this room understand the challenges that you are presented with in balancing the need to maintain um and to frankly the responsibility to not only maintain but enhance our educational system while at
the same time with the competing challenge of stabilizing the tax impact on the residents of Edison Township. The reality is not everything can be a transaction.
I listened at the beginning of this meeting when we were touting our music programs and our performing arts programs. And I listen uh uh being the father of three children who went
through this district, who has lived in this community for more than 30 years, you all walk around and the people in this community walk around and tout the excellence of this school system. You
brag about it all the time. You speak about the positive impact of the educational system on our property values as the basis for the reason that people and businesses come into this community.
An exceptional system, an exceptional school system costs money. A school system that offers the array of programs and services the opportunities that Edison public schools offer costs money.
A system that welcomes new immigrants and first generation Americans, individuals who look to be integrated into a community with small children who need to develop social skills and language skills. Many of our children
coming in have devel developmental challenges. They need these services and that costs money. I also know that there are individuals and groups in this community who once their children are out of the school
system believe that their responsibility to support that system has ended. That is frankly shortsighted and unfortunate, but we understand that exists. But what I find most import unfortunate
is this. You can debate various line items. You can debate capital projects. But when your decision results in the elimination of the one most significant and pure
educational component of this budget, the preschool expansion program, respectfully, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You have succumbed to the headwinds of a few loud people who view it as a
transaction. I'm one of your private partners. I see children every day who come into my program who without that program are literally going to be behind next year when they
go to kindergarten, who come in with language challenges, with social challenges, who learn to read, who learn social skills, who learn problem solving. We many of wi of which have challenges developmental challenges.
We have invested in teachers and in programs and in resources and these children grow over the course of the year. Your decision which respectfully was the easy decision.
It's the easy decision to just cut. It is not bold. You're not stepping out on a limb. You took the easy way out. as opposed to determining what is most important, what
goes beyond the transaction. I am suggesting to you, I am imploring you. You are literally going to put hundreds of children in this district behind. That is simply the case.
You need to do the work to find a different way if you determine that you are limited to that level of tax increase. If you're going to succumb to that headwind, then you need to find a
different way. But to cut the the purest form of educational support that starts with our youngest children is not the way to go. It's not the bold way. It is the copout. And I'm imploring you for
those hundreds of children to do something better, to be better, to do something different, and to understand that your responsibility goes beyond the simple transaction. Thank you.
>> Good evening. My name is Vilma Masier um in 129 Sunrise Drive. I've been living in Edison for 20 years. I always admire the education. I'm an immigrant myself from Honduras and I'm here tonight to talk about to
advocate for the preschool program. Me myself, I'm a professional in the early education. Um, I'm also I work as a family family advocate and I'm directly impacted as a mother of a three-year-old who just submitted the
documentation for the lottery system and learning how everything is being done. I understand the limitations that all what is happening but how everything was done on a short notice and conning this program that is just like as the
president person uh spoke before me transactional is just shocking preschool is not a luxury preschool is essential due to it longterm and it's crazy to think that
you're not seeing that. There's so much data that backs up this information. You're thinking you're cutting expenses, but you're not. What you're doing is setting these kids behind. And when they
go to kindergarten, what are you doing? The teachers, they're going to be impacted. They're going to be burnt out. How is this beneficial beneficial for the teachers where they have to spend time working with this children that are
behind because they didn't receive the tools that were needed when in those crucial years? How is that saving money? Preschool is is not it's a smart investment. It's not a spending.
is cost avoidance because it brings long-term graduation rates. It brings better literacy levels in third grade. For me, it does not fit in my head how this is not considered and it's put
there. We cons it it was not lightly considered. But to me, honestly, it doesn't seem like because it's hard in my head for you to not respectfully to not understand that. And I'm it's not like somebody else said, it's not a
burden. It's beneficial. And there's prof and then parents like me, we need the tools. We need the resources. There's single moms out there that needs the professional in that area. So please,
I ask you respectfully, consider that at least. And then my other question is we're going to see other avenues. What are the other avenues? My understanding this is coming from federal grant money also causing some cost for what I was
able to gather. Why are we cutting those fund and just declining just like that like a transaction when it's impacting the kids the future of Edison is this is something that it it does and that's why
I'm trying to plead here that this is not Early education is not a feel-good policy. It is necessary and it's back. There's data that you can read about it and
long-term it will save money to the school district. You can ask around. I seen videos that what is the what is the grades that you don't want to teach? Kindergarten. Kindergarten. a lot of teachers because a lot of these kids that come into kindergarten may not be
prepared with the social emotional skills, the uh other skills that that they that they learn and I experienced that myself and I'm here to advocate for the other parents who are not here present. So please please reconsider that. Thank
you. >> Thank you. Next. Yes. blowing up >> ship Edison, New Jersey. Actually, um I believe in universal preschool for everybody in the state of New Jersey. I do because I think as an educator, I
believe that, you know, we should give them an early start. Now through this I heard that we have been losing money all the time through the subscription busing. True. Years have gone by and we don't at the gas prices that are
going up now. I notice even when I go to the gas station it's like almost $10 more just to put gas in my car. And talking about people when it comes to the health care and they're talking about the health care and the prices went up. Well, this is what's happening
because I was in the meeting last week about that as the hospitals keep gobbling up other hospitals, we don't have the bar, we don't have the opportunity to bargain like we used to. All right? And with the government
dismantling education, they I don't know with somebody under a rock or something, they're dismantled the education department. I talked to a college professor on Saturday that was crying the blues about the money that we're losing. And also within the next few
years or so, one out of every 31 children is going to be autistic. That's the cost. Like people don't want to see, they just want to cry wolf. They want to fear manga, but they don't want to take all these things and and listen to them
about different things that are going on. They know that we're not getting the money that we should get from the federal government. And I wish everybody would go down there and fight for that. That's the most important thing because we can't get, you know, you can't get a
a blood from a rock, but everybody seems to think that we can get all this stuff for free. We can't get it for free. My electricity bill, a hundred more dollars. Every bill is added on and the prices
are going up. Everybody's acting like the prices not going up. Maybe the prices were different five years ago. We had a different administration throughout throughout our presidency and stuff. But now everybody is for themselves. All right.
The people who don't want the preschool now at all for the other people, you know why? Because their kids is in the fifth and sixth grade now. So they don't want it because everybody is me me. I'm so disgusted with the way people are
nowadays. That's all they're concerned about. They're not concerned about people as a whole. They, you know, I I call it like blackhearted. They don't they don't care about the other individual. And I notice some single mothers and stuff in here struggling, you know, they don't have the advantage
of paying for, you know, a good preschool for their child, you know, but the other person sitting next to them, they ain't worried about it because it's not their kid no longer is in that space. And I wish people would just, and I keep saying it over and over again,
stop the fear mongering. Stop all this craziness. Come together and see what is the most important because the government is not going to help us anymore. We're going to have to lean with each other. We're going to have to find out ways to make money. Now, before
years ago, I belonged to the education foundation in Edison. Bunch of people got together and we raised money and stuff for field trips and other things that were very important to us. Nobody wants to do those things now.
They everybody wants the next person to do the job. No, let them do the job. No, I don't want to put my hands in it. But I, you know, if you have a good foundation and have a where you get a bunch of people together and raise money, it'd be a good idea because as I
was in Texas, I noticed in Texas, the alumni from the high school, they paid for the sports sports program. Not that their education is good as ours, but they still have schools within the state that are good.
But those people decided together that we're going to pay for that. We're going to pay for all the sports programs. We're going to pay for the tri travel. We're going to do this together as a whole. Now, as long as we come back and we pick at this budget piece by piece by
piece, the loud voices, the loud voices, you know, the squeaky wheel always gets oil. And the rest of the people who have legitimate reasons and legitimate interest, those people, they don't get heard. Okay? And I ask people back and
forth, I don't believe in you because if you come to this meeting and you don't come to the council meeting, then I don't believe in you at all because they're giving out 100% raises and 120% raises and I don't see nobody there.
Everybody's okay. So, in order for me to believe you, you're going to have to show up to more than this board meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joyce. Kenneka Chopra, Violet Place board. I'm here tonight both as an educator and a
lifelong Edison resident. I graduated from this very high school and this school system is the reason I pursued a career in education. I've chosen to raise my family here because I believe in this community and that's why I'm asking you to reconsider the decision to turn down state
preschool expansion funding. This is not just a budget decision. It's a decision about access, equity, and long-term strength of our schools. We know that highquality early education works. Children who attend schools with strong preschool programs enter kindergarten
more prepared and more confident. They are less likely to need intervention later and more likely to succeed academically and beyond. As an educator, I see the difference every year. The gap between children who had access to early education and those who didn't is clear
from day one. and incredibly difficult to close. Turning down this funding does not eliminate the need. It shifts the burden onto families. Right now, many families in our community are already struggling to find affordable preschool options. Seats are limited, weight lists
are long, and private programs are often out of reach. When we decline funding that expands access, we're effectively saying that early education is not for everyone. And that's not aligned with the values of our public school system. This decision also affects our
district's future. Neighboring districts are expanding their preschool programs and investing in early learning. When we choose not to, we're not standing still. We're falling behind. Over time, this impacts enrollment, community trust, and the strength of our schools. I
understand that there are concerns about funding, mandates, and implementation. Those are real and important. But they are challenges to solve, not reasons to walk away from an opportunity that benefits our youngest learners. Because the reality is simple. It's far more costly to catch children up later than
it is to support them early. This is a chance to lead, to affirm that in this community, every child deserves a strong start. I urge you to reconsider this decision, engage with the community, and focus on how we can make this work. The children who would benefit from this
decision aren't here tonight, but they will live with its impact. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you. Yes. Je after him. J after sake. Yeah. No, >> he's going. Sorry. >> After him.
>> Yeah. Sake Goil 1725 Raspberry Court. Good evening everybody. You know, I'll just get directly to the point. You know, many residents tonight are addressing the major issues like such as the land deal. I only have one comment on that.
When we buy an elephant, you also have to feed it. Big decisions come with long-term responsibilities. With that said, I want to focus on several other areas of concerns within the budget. Free breakfast program. Who is
sponsoring the free breakfast? A longtime resident, Edison resident I work with asked me, "We are providing free breakfast to all students. We have rough roughly 17,000 students. Some certainly qualify for free breakfast and
lunch, but not all. And the food being served is not consistently healthy. Chocolate mint, muffins, snack bars. Would you want your children eating that every morning? If not, why should ours?
Why not offer real fruit, grilled cheese, or other healthier options? And if healthier options are not physible, why not scale back program and redirect those funds to areas of greater needs? To be clear, this is not about denying
support to low-income families. We fully support providing meals to students who qualify, but can you please share the actual number of students who qualify for low-income meal assistant? Second, software licenses. I often sit with my
children and since kindergartener, I have been sitting and I have been looking at the student portal the so about and I talk about the apps and the software provided by the district. Most of the time they tell me they don't use them. So here are my
questions. How many student actually log in and use all of this licensed programming? Do we really need this many apps? Why can't we consolidate and how much of the budget is allocated to this licenses free program and communication? It's
easy to offer something for free and take it away later, but it comes with the consequences and that's why you have all these people here. If a program is free only because of temporary state or federal funding,
please communicate that clearly so expectations are set appropriately. Resence should residents should not be misled about what is permanent and what is not, especially not during elections. Tax levy and program priorities.
Anything that you can redirect or optimize will help reduce the tax levy. This is what residents expect and we hope you all will honor the commitments made during election. We are still waiting for the list of mandatory versus
non-mandatory programs. A BOE team insist on continuing programs that many residents do not support. We are more than willing to seek donations from organizations or group who wish to fund them. They can attach their name to
these programs and their contributions can be recognized for generations to come. Subscription buses. Regarding the changes to the subscription bus program, families need clarity on what has shifted and how this decision will
affect our duties. We also need to consider the increased traffic this will create around the school during the morning drop off and afternoon pickup. More cars mean more condition, more staff required to manage
it and most importantly great greater safety risk for our children. I urge B team to address this concern openly and ensure that any changes prioritize student safety and the well-being of our
families and finally accountability. F I open I hope that tonight we actually receive answers. For the last two meetings we were told answers would be provided at the end and they never were.
We are here in the good faith and we accept the same in return. Thank you Joe. Joe Romano Edison. Welcome people. At the end of the day,
we're talking about, you know, education. I mean, there's people up there that are educator. They know that. Fact of the matter is the people in the audience here,
you're telling them that well, we can cut it. Okay. If that's what you want to do, that's fine. When you go out with your families, when you go out with your families and
you go out to a restaurant, instead of ordering French fries for everybody, only order one French fry for your whole family. You're cutting costs.
We're talking about subscription busing. Don't worry about it. We'll drop it. Okay. How about preschool? I know there's educators up there. I know of at least two. Subscription busing or preschool.
Preschool is not an advantage. It's a necessity. Our teachers know the difference. They see the difference. The people that are part of the preschool program,
when those students leave the preschool and go to kindergarten, our teachers know the difference. Our problem is is we should make sure that our students,
those parents, those are the parents, they need that help. They need that help with preschool. Now, let's talk about
there was an assembly of people here. They all got awards. Those people excel in our district. Are we cutting their program? You understand that
education is well-rounded. I'm not stopping it. I don't think the cut I don't think that cut is well thought out. I don't think
that everybody here everybody here will have to take and figure out that it's whatever number it is. But I don't think it's enough. At the end of the day,
as a former board member, I said no. I said no twice. And right now I'm saying no again because the parents that are here,
the parents that are listening to us, they're saying maybe he said no for a reason. So whenever you go out, I know you'll be going out soon, you know, and you you
only order one French fry for the family. It's not the way to do it. Our students need every possible avenue to get further
in life. The problem is simple. If we don't give them a thorough and efficient education, starting with preschool, let me rephrase,
a thorough and efficient education. Now when every one of you board members run through governance training the first thing the first sentence was
to see that it runs well. So when you go out to the store or to the restaurant and you order one French fry for the family,
you know that don't work. Give our students what they need and just don't give them a number because we don't know what we need until it happens. The the issue was simple.
I would say no because our students need everything that we can give them. And you're not living up to governance. governance to see that it runs well because it
doesn't run well when you order one French fry for the whole family. Thank you very much. Vote no. Vote no. Anita >> Anita Amarat Edison Glenn Edison New
Jersey first of all thank you very much to the entire board and uh superintendent Dr. already you've done good work for the town uh especially some of the things people really appreciate is themies that
you have opened in both JP Stevens and Edison High so these are one of some of the positive points which I really applaud one thing I want to open up which we all will agree I hope there's a bill I heard in the New Jersey state
it's a 1967 rule for the two 2.5 mile subscription busing. I hope you know they bring it down to 1 to 1.5 miles. I just hope so. There's a bill there if anybody can advocate for it. Uh I'm here
just to give you some thinking cap points. Uh the first thing is again I reiterate on the fiscal responsibility. People are really worried. uh board president and board. We are going into the next year
with a 352 million budget. We have had some issues last year. We have had a reduction in state aid funding and we had a planned in of 7.7
million expenditure but we took money from the capital reserve and we spent 38.9 million So we are trying to build this with the 14.1 million levy. Please when we go
into the next year we are going to go with a reduced state aid. We have a worry about the policy and fiscal responsibility. We do not want to be in the same situation with all the people advocating
next year for an increased tax rate. So please when we go into the next year we want to see uh better fiscal responsibility. The second thing is this brought me to the thought about looking at the line
items um on the budget. I know that we are reducing by cutting subscription by increasing the subscription fees uh AC the prek. U so I was looking at the line items and I wanted to bring it to your
attention. Uh line item 29680. Uh there's an increase in the attendance and social work. Uh why are we having an increase there? U I think there's an increase in 100k I was just thinking is
there are we um expecting more cases of out of town cases to be resolved this year? Why is uh the increase of 100k there? Uh somebody else brought it up. Uh textbook spending has gone up uh
consistently 59.4% 4% uh right now it stands at 70.9%. Why has there been any new curriculum adoptions? Uh we are doing um an online um
subscription for the textbooks. Is there can we save some money there? Uh because there is um increase in expenditure. Is there something we can do? Um there uh the third thing is it just bringing it bringing into my mind about Edison
Township. Uh our average home valuation has increased from 2.5 to 2.7%. And we have a lot of good activity in the town. So your you haven't increased
the levy. levy has been uh consistent and this year it has gone by 6%. What happened to all the increase in the taxes uh the revenue which we are getting with new construction and new
businesses? Are we using the money responsibly? Will we be able to use that money for the next year as well? This is just a generic question. So, thank you very much. Um there are a couple of other things uh which was brought to my
notice. Um the enrollment this year um last year has come down by 500 but you have based your increase um of student population by 650 uh students next year. Uh I just wanted
to bring this to your attention because last year the enrollment has come down but this year next year you're projecting an increase of 650. So people had a question in that angle. So that's about it. Uh we the people are looking
out for the best. We have elected you board president and the entire board members. You represent us. We don't have to come here and you know give you all the stats but as responsible citizens we
are here to help you. Please, please, with the economy, the inflation, and I, as we all said, the grocery prices, please take a look, revisit, see the line items where you can really save money and help us out. Thank you so much
for serving Edison. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, good evening. Good evening, everyone. I'm Verald Desai. I live here uh in Edison. I think we all live here. I had no intention of coming up and speaking today at all. I was here to just absorb what is going on and so I I
really don't have a huge kind of sway one way or the other with with what's happening. However, um just a little bit background, right? Uh my kids are first generation Americans. I wasn't born here. I was naturalized maybe 20 years ago, some who knows, right? So was my
wife. Uh both our kids were first generation Americans and they didn't go to preschool. We didn't have preschool back then. They're now in their 20s. Um, and I completely I'm I'm listening to some of the the early childhood
educators who spoke. I I heard about one of the the private partners that you have talk, right? And like a couple of the gentlemen and I'm convinced that prek is a very important program, right? I mean, no question there. Uh however I
think what we do need to think is how are we going to fund it and and the reason I say that is is is is not because it's not important. Let's think about how do we fund it without it becoming undue burden on the taxpayers
because yes somebody said it's $30 a month. I I forget somebody had a presentation saying it's at an average it's $30 a month per household for whatever understood right having said that this isn't the only thing going up in prices somebody talked
about gas price going up electricity going up it's going up for all of us all of us like even in like our homes okay the economy no matter what these numbers talk about in terms of uh uh uh
unemployment rates and what have and what not. Let me tell you, I was employed gainfully for 30 years. I lost my job a year and a half ago. I can't get anything that closely resembles my job that I've had for 30 years. Right
now, my wife is the only one earning in our household, and we're still living in that house. The fact that the home prices go up doesn't really put money in my pocket. In fact, right now, it's just simply taking money away from my pocket. So preschool's important, yes, but then
let's fund it in a way that makes sense. I mean, somebody came here and mentioned we went from 12 employees somewhere to 35 employees or the the uh the benefits went up $7 million. The notebooks went up like whatever 60 something%. I mean,
you you guys are much smarter and know way more than what I know. All right? So, I'm not going to stand here trying to tell you what to do, but all I'm saying is there's got to be a way to do this. It's this is not easy on any one of us because the taxes aren't the only things going up. They're not, right? So,
to turn around and and to say people who don't have kids in school don't want to fund it. No, no, we want to because our kids went through these schools, right? My wife went to this school. His her brother went through this school. I mean, unfortunately, I grew up in India, right? Right? I mean, I did not have the benefit of like the
education system here and which is okay. It is what it is. However, with everything we have, we've got to be able to do better with the budget. I mean, I look at this 360 million or 52 million. I mean, it's it's
not chump change. It's not right. So, why can't we reappropriate some of these monies from the benefits and like increasing the staff 300% in two years and some people getting like 18 20% bumps or or what
whatever. Like, I mean, I'm sure there's a way you guys can figure this out. I mean, I I don't have the insights that you guys do, right? And then on on a different note, right? I mean, and it's just something to think about. I don't know
like I mean the way the world is changing everything you believed six months ago has changed in the next six months everything is going to change again with the AI and robotics and like like everything else how are we or you or us
as the adult of this township making sure that a curriculum stays up with the changing I mean think about it what we teach kids in school today is going to mean nothing in 6 months because the world is changing so fast. So maybe that is something else we we
focus our energy on rather than like I don't know somebody said we trying to buy like a swamp land for $10 million or something like what is that? I mean no I don't know what that is.
I mean, why aren't we spending that money to do this? Like, again, I didn't come here prepared with anything, but just listening to these people, I feel like like we taking away preschool, so we can like triple our staffing in in some department. I
don't know which department, but I mean, there's got to be a better way. There's just got to be a better way, guys. I mean and and like I don't have anything. So So the last thing is this, right? I mean how does how do these sessions go? Is this just people come
speak and then that's it or is there a question answer or like so what happens? Like I mean so everybody are you guys taking notes? You're going to go back compare? Nothing's going to happen. So everyone's just talking and that's pretty much it. Okay. All right.
Thank you. Yeah. Why? No. Thank Anthony Diam. Um Edison. Um boy, you know, it's frustrating because you guys you guys don't defend yourselves. You
guys don't go back and forth and it's tough because uh I don't know. It's just that's the approach you guys take. That's fine. Um, but Joyce, where's Joyce? Man, she hit it. I mean, just on the on the nail. Joyce, you know what's funny? I have a photo. I printed it out
today. Joyce, where is it? Here it is. This is a photo. You're in this. Remember this? At James Monroe. This is when all the assemblymen, the state senator, the mayor, the governor were taking credit, you know, taking credit for the state funding about four
and a half years ago. Joyce is the only one that's here still. that's fighting and advocating. None of them are here today. None of these other people. Now, meanwhile, at town hall, they're throwing, you know, ICBMs over here and basically telling you how shitty of a
job you're doing and lecturing you. Um, does the mayor offer solutions? Does he offer Does he want to come in? Does he want to extended hand and show us how to do it? Show, you know, and and the other thing too is I'm sorry, I'm just a little offset. you have gentle and I understand I respect some of these
people that that are upset there's cuts coming and stuff like that but you know I I really never knew how a a a district ran until I sat at Terresa Ward's house for like seven hours once and she just she explained to me and to make cuts,
you know, to go through it and say you don't need this job, you don't need that job. It doesn't work like that. You know, districts are run a certain way. That's why we're successful here. You can't just cut go ahead and just cut jobs that you just don't feel are are necessary. They're all necessary. That's why we are who we are. So, you got to
save these jobs, right? But at the end of the day, like Joyce, you said this, you know, you know, it's funny. Woodbridge is not getting cuts, right? Who's advocating? Where are these people? Where are our state senators? Where's our assemblymen? Where's the
mayor? Who, you know, the idea that you guys are not paid. You know, it's funny all the people here that are upset. I hope you do go to town council meetings. Do you know what's going on at the town council meetings? All the raises they're giving themselves. The mayor was in office with all these and and I'm not blaming the mayor, but he was in office
for two months and he took credit for this stuff. He's not here today. It's the same constituents. They're raising taxes down in town hall this year. I don't feel sorry. You guys elect these people. All right. You got to know this stuff. It's upsetting. Yeah, it's
upsetting. But honestly, the mayor, you know, and I and I keep saying this and I I don't want to make but the politics in this is it is what it is. And you know, he puts out a video and it's damaging because he's got a big outreach. Now, I probably had the second biggest outreach, but he's well surpassed me.
All right? He has. And he does he causes he stirs this stuff up, but he's not offering solutions. He's safe there. And we can't have the superintendent get into politics. We don't want him into politics. All right? That's not your job. And you guys are in a tough spot. I really do feel sorry for you. You're
making you got to make tough decisions. All right. But it's not like you guys don't know what all this stuff already. All right. It It's sad. And I feel like a lot of this stuff is unnecessary that it happened. Um, honestly, I feel some of
it's deliberate. I feel like the fact that I don't care what the equation and the math is on this. Are you kidding me? If we wanted fun, if he w if he had his board, his board president in here, are you telling me that they wouldn't get funding this year? I don't believe for one second you would have the funding
this year. I that's just the way it goes. And I'm sick and tired of nobody just calling it out for what it is. And I'll def, you know, I listen, we used to, you know, when you don't raise taxes for two years, I don't know, that used to be celebrated. I thought we used to celebrate things like that. Now, I did I I I talked to a couple friends and I
educated myself and I understand now. You know, you raise a 1%. You put, you know, a little cushion. I get it. I get that. I'm all for that. You maybe you should have done that. Maybe that was a mistake made. Understand? You don't get paid though. You're not giving yourselves raises like they are at town hall.
You have to explain this to people. You have to. These are the facts. Joyce said it 100% right. They worked I mean, you know, in Woodbridge they're working together. It's funny. In Woodbridge, they have Coughlin, who is the assembly speaker of the state of
New Jersey. All right. They got their funding. He also happens to be the mayor's attorney here in Edison. We didn't get our funding. Yet, the mayor endorses the the the governor. We had a former board of ed member hosted the
wouldbe governor at her house. They didn't advocate for our funding. These are the facts and it's upsetting. You know, they had no problem taking photo ops here when they But they're not sitting here with you because they don't want to sit here with you quite honestly. They want to
throw bombs and they want to drop it in their laps and it's unfair. You know, it is what it is. But they're elected. You know, he gets to do that unfortunately. And you guys, honestly, uh, you know, he has a he has a PhD in BS. That's what I think the mayor has. You know what I mean? So, it's that's just it is what it
is. Because if he wants to come down here and explain to everybody how to do a better budget more responsibly, you should host a meeting, a town hall, and let him educate all of us. It's they shouldn't be losing jobs out
there. It's unacceptable. Nobody should be losing jobs. This did not have to happen. So, I feel sorry for everybody, but go down to town halls, too, because that's where your voices should be. Trust me when I tell you. All right? Trust me when I tell you
it's it's it's you know it's it's sad but I wish you guys the best of luck. I don't know. And uh >> and that's really it. So all right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks. Yes. Raj Nagarajin, Heritage Drive, Edison,
New Jersey. Right. I know most of you. I've been in this town for 27 years and I have worked on a lot of issues both in the BOE and the council side on the side of all the residents and I'm not expected to run for my lifetime. Okay,
I'm here to talk for the public of Edison. You know, first of all, I want to thank you all for doing something great. I was part of the referendum, right? We had this referendum in 2019. We said we are not going to borrow 180 plus million dollars. You got all the changes done in
JP and everything. And I'm very very happy because last time I came here was when uh Dr. Braen was here and I had to fight for the rights of the children and parents with Dr. breaken right uh because it was a very tough situation with everybody having co and stuff right
I'm so happy to see the new auditorium as much as possible I am telling all my friends neighbors to just you know get here this is the good part the second part is I I heard a lot of these people right a lot of the people talk to you and tell you about prek I'm all for prek
for poor people who do not have money we cannot afford prek for millionaires how is it fair that hundreds of seniors right who still trust our township. None of my neighbors are leaving in the last the a lot of neighbors I know right in the last 25 years they have not left
they trust our township they trust us Edison schools have been very good right I I know Jean I I know what happened to the board of education a lot of you who got elected recently you don't know right board of education and the schools were in a you know there was nepotism
there's a lot of stuff okay it was cleared because of involvement of people and wanting to run right get into the board and clean up and today I'm extremely sad we are going backwards right the point here is there is always a need to tax tax tax tax right but you
will have to cut somewhere right and don't cut for the students from first grade to 12th because we need it to be there so that our schools are good even now when I saw on the page right where I saw Woodro Wilson was named one of the
best schools right I was so happy, right? I mean, you know, there are so many people who go for the number one school district in New Jersey if Edison is not cutting it. That's not what it is. It's about the quality of education, right? We have been turning out students since the start of Edison, right?
Whenever Edison was accomplished, right? The point here is we cannot be here all the time to babysit you guys, right? It is not about your existing qualification. You have to spend the time, right? Somebody like Jean, everybody who was here 15 years ago,
they spent hours and hours and hours understanding the system and making sure there are checks and balances. Okay, I heard the teachers, I heard the prek folks, okay, but the point is we are all for prek, but we have to make sure that everybody pays their fair share. The
second thing that I'm so annoyed and angry about is, you know, I have a child who's 5 and a half years old. Any private kindergarten, prek I go to, it's messed up. And the reason they're saying is is because of our school's pre-K program because neither I mean when you got a grant, right, you have to make
sure it it's gradual. You opened it up for everybody because money was free during Murphy's time, right? We borrowed $4 billion. Now Cheryl is somebody who's fiscally conservative. She's not going to dole out the money you want, right? It should have been a more responsible
program. You should have cut there, right? And this 28 million would have been like we could have saved a lot of money if you had started an organization. Richard Brerer who was on the board right had that idea because East Bronswick schools right they shaved like 10 $15 million because all the
companies invest in it. So at least when the builders build they can invest in it right I I want you to seriously look into it. We have been talking about it for seven years. These are the situations that that kind of money will help. And there are a lot of corporations within uh Edison right that
can contribute right you need to look into it right and the third thing I really want to say is when you look at necessities right I was so shocked to learn about the land deal okay I just got to know a few days ago there's a 1989 resolution that will not allow
other than a grocery store there in the Talmage land which is in a flood zone right so do your due diligence and the third thing I ask of you is in 2021 we had a uh president's budget committee okay where we signed a non-disclosure and we were allowed to review the budget
some of few were here so I I think you should consider that so that this kind of a situation doesn't repeat next year because there are a lot of items you can look at I know all of you have full-time jobs outside here some are in IT some are in something else right that doesn't matter right you need to have your eyes
in 370 $370 million is a lot of money when I started looking at the budget it was around $210 million right back like 10 12 years ago okay Shannon Pang you know Jishi all of them would know that because you know they were there right
so please be more watchful right I want to really congalate you for what you achieved in the enhancement right and please do look into what I told you because these two things can save money you can think about cutting but you know when you have a deficit we need the money from the corporation and the
builders because builders cannot officially donate to you. It's against the law. I even looked at it, right? So, the only way to do this is to start a nonprofit where we have uh people from Edison, big people from Edison where the companies contribute there, right? Look into it because if you're short by $17
million, you could have got it from there, right? Out of 28 and you could have saved our taxes like anything, right? And next time, don't think of increasing it to 15%, 20%, something like 3%. Thank you. Thank you. Dr. You want to give some in
Okay. So, so Matt, can you hold on a second? >> Yeah. Dr. Can you give some insight into the education foundation that you have been that you've been working on? >> Yeah. Yes. So, um the sentiments that the gentleman just talked about is something that was been part of our strategic plan. Um we currently have um
probably about four trustees committed looking for a couple more in relationship to that to uh launch our first meeting within the next couple months. You know the budget and a couple other pieces of kind of derailed um discussions with potential candidates. Um Mr. Glenn has been instrumental in
assisting me in that process as well too. Um but you know that that information does not fall on deaf ears and it's something that we uh are looking forward to putting forward uh in the year to come. Thank you, Matt. Matt Rev. Matt Revnack, ETA president.
I think I'm a fairly intelligent individual, but I'm very confused when I come sometimes in here. You know, the board put out a 12% budget. None of these things would have been even discussed because nothing would have been cut. Taxpayers complain through social media. I don't do social media,
but I heard all about it. come to board meetings, etc. to make cuts. Well, when you cut almost $15 million, 6%, that's approximately what it is. What the heck do you think is going to happen? You got to cut programs. You got to cut staff.
The reality of it is that. And again, like Mr. Toad said before, and I've been saying this for a while now, this is not a one-year deal. This is probably at least a three to fouryear deal. And in the future, we're not going to have some of these things are cut, which means other things have to be cut and more
staff has to be cut. That's the reality. The reality is I got a group of people sitting in the back there, some of which are non-tenure teacher here because they're worried they're going to lose their job. Some that are more senior members to support
these young people. Some of them have been through it before, including myself a couple of times in my 38 years here in the district. That's the reality of the situation. I'm going to put on my teacher cap for a minute. I want everybody in this room up
on stage, everybody out behind me, and even those that are watching via live stream, I want you to close your eyes. Come on, close your eyes. Put down your cell phones. I promise I'm not going to come and lift your wallet or anything. I
want you to clear your mind. Come on, Val. Close your eyes. Board attorney, close your eyes. I guess you should keep them open. And I want you to clear your mind. And I want you to think about the person that had the biggest impact on who you are right
now in your life. And if you're like me, it's probably your parent, maybe a sibling, maybe a grandparent. Eliminate relatives from the list. Think of who else had the biggest impact on your life.
If you're like me, and I'm sure many of you are, it's probably a teacher, a coach, a club advisor, maybe a clergy person. You can open your eyes now and picture that person was not there for you to
become who you are because they were part of a budget cut. That's also the reality here. There's people in in this ranks that are going to lose jobs that won't be here for student current students and future students because of cutting budgets and
cutting programs. Students that come to school because of some of these programs. By the way, I've had students in the past their purpose really for coming to school, yeah, they're getting an education, but it was MUN. By the way, I did this
15 years ago at Middle Sex College with state legislators there. For former former governor Florio was there. I did that same activity and I walked out with at that time was Assemblyman Patrick Dagnner, now state senator. And he came up to me and said, "Matt, what you just
did was incredible because you're absolutely right. It was a history teacher that got me involved with MUN and now I'm a state assemblyman who by the way was chair of the education committee at the time as well. So that's the reality of things.
You can't have it both ways. You either have to pay for the programs, pay for the staffing to keep the quality of education, or you don't pay for it and you're going to have these cuts. And no, you know, no pulling punches.
Your education system and your programs are going to go to pot. You got to watch what I say. It's public. All right. That's the reality of things. Listen, like I said on Thursday night, we're all taxpayers. We all hate to pay
taxes, but the demands of the public work. Cut taxes. 12%'s too high. I get it. especially with the rising cost of everything. I like Mr. Romano's things about the McDonald's fries, by the way. I said
that I don't do Starbucks, but cut off that Starbucks coffee once a week and you probably say what your increase per day in taxes are. You know, there's little sacrifices you can make and that's the reality of things.
The kids deserve better. Listen, Dr. Alderelli and Mr. To are topnotch. I said it the other night. I work along with them. I've worked with a number of superintendent over the years, board members. They're doing their due diligence here. They're doing what
you're asking. They're putting out what these are the things to make things work. You know, maybe if it's not 12% to 6%, 10%, maybe 9%, you won't have some of these drastic cuts.
In fact, I know originally the talk was 6.5%. Just go about from going 6.5 to 6% cost you about 1.25 million. Right, Mr. Toes? I can see you shaking your head. Yes, that's the reality. A half a percent
cost you another 1.25. What does that mean? That means a to at a starting teacher salary without the benefits, that's 20 teachers. That's 20 teachers. That's the reality.
So, think about it, board. I know it's a tough job. You're not in a you're not in an enviable position. You have to make tough a tough decision here. I still believe because of the duration of what this is going to be, cutting the budget down to 6%, not keeping it at 12 or
something in between is a mistake. I hope I don't come back and say I told you so again. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. No, no, no. Lieizabeth. Yeah, you can go after her.
Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. Uh, we could be here all night talking about cuts and what could be and what can't be, but I always think of it, if we take money out of one pocket, it's going to be
going into another pocket. Or if we put money in one pocket, it had to come out of another. Uh this morning I was getting my nails done and there was a girl sitting behind me with her children going to prek
and she said it was up to $21,000 a year that she had to pay for her two children to go to prek. And I thought to myself, whoa. I turned around and I said to her, "Wow, my daughter is spend is saving a lot of
money because my husband and I watch her children." But I stayed home to take care of my children until they were in an upper grade. So, I didn't go start teaching until
later in life. And I realized for all those years I wasn't getting paid. And then when I retired, my pension was a lot less than somebody that had the chance of teaching all those years. But
that was my choice. But what we're coming up against now is we're cutting some spots and it's going to be hurtful to some people. But at the same time, let's figure out
how much are we actually saving by making cuts? Because if you're cutting it one place, the money's coming out somewhere else. And my biggest fear right now is if this
board votes no for this budget, where does it go for a a decision? And after that, I come back to nightmares of many years ago when it was voted down and it was
brought back that the council of our town made a very big cut even more to our budget which is going to hurt so many other things. So yes, we have a tremendous increase
even at the 12%, even at 6% going up, but we have to realize what is it actually paying for. My children aren't in school anymore, but I'm not going to complain because my children went through Edison
and it was a good school system and my children benefited from it. So yes, we we look at how much you're paying for this person and that person. I can remember years ago looking at Dr. Capero and saying, "It's not a little rinky
dink district anymore, Doc. You're going to have to spread your wings and hire more people." And as the population grew, we knew we had to. But Edison has always been on
the lower end of our ratios compared to other districts in the state of New Jersey. And we need to take all of this into consideration as to where we want to go. When I'm looking at the budget and
seeing how much it costs, it's we're a service organization. That's our goal. and our service is to our children and to our district. And when we look at the assessment
of our homes, that's just our assessment for the taxes, it's not what our house is worth. And if the town ever decides to reassess our district, we're in trouble.
And if the state turns around and says, "Edison, you can't afford it. You can afford to pay more. Look at the value of your district. Your value is higher than these other districts. Well, because
we're so good, they're almost hurting us because we're good. So, please make a decision that's right for our district. Because remember what happens if you say
no to this and what happens if you say no to prek is anything can be done for the benefit of the children learning. I know a lot of people will say well they only do it for I've heard a few people
say oh they only want the prek because it's free daycare. No it's really not free daycare. It's an early education that you can never take back. So truly look and see what you can do. I know subscription busing has always been
a thorn that it needs to pay for itself. Well, you're going to need to step up and do that because with the price of gas, you better jump on it quick because it's well over 400 uh $4 a gallon now.
So you need to take into consideration even if you raise it, it may not be enough. So I truly think think about what you're doing what's the best decision. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um Dr. Orali, do you want to
address some of the things that you're planning for prek? >> Um >> I know it's not finals. Share whatever you can. >> Yeah. So, I mean, what we're worried about currently, right, in relationship to prek is our current three-year-olds that are going to be four-year-olds for
next year, right? And the understanding that, you know, they could be potentially without a they will be without a program next year. So, you know, at our upcoming special education meeting, um we are going to look to propose some alternative pathways to house these students in some of our
integrated programs. Uh and talk with our talk with the uh members of that committee in order to hopefully put something forward where, you know, we're still able to maintain a semblance of a prek program. Not to the scale of what we currently have or to the scale of
what the state expects us to. Um but something that I think that we can maintain and you know plan accordingly for next year depending upon how circumstances are. >> Thank you Nancy >> Nancy Mur to her drive. Thank you Dr.
Really to uh to tell us the program or the plan that you have for prek. It will be really really sad that we don't have uh something in sort of like not having a complete full-blown plan but if we can have something smaller it will help. Uh
having said that it saddens me as well as angers me that where we are standing today. Everything was going great for our district. I think in last three years we have seen such good things happening. We were all having a great time. We were looking at it that it is
going well. the last uh year of my son's gradu till he graduated from high school. We even had an excellent up and running uh app for our school district, our website, everything is going fine. And now here we are. And why we are
here? Because nine elected board members who are and for everybody's education these elected board members are like board of directors for any cooperation. Dr. Redelli and doc and uh John to who's our BA is like a CFO. So all these nine
board members are here to work in the best interest or to uphold the best interest of all the shareholders and the stakeholders in this on on this platform. Uh and in our case the stakeholders and shareholders are
teachers, kids who go to the school and the parents or the taxpayers. Sadly they have I think they have uh you know disappointed or failed all three in this case. All three whereas teachers,
parents and kids we are seeing program cuts. We are seeing job cuts. We are seeing various things happening here. And why we are here? Because the reserves that were there in the school district 3 years ago they couldn't they couldn't keep up with it. They thought
it's a pot of you know bottomless pit. we can just put our hands there, grab money and keep running with it and run a campaign on it to sit here on this position. Very very sad. Very sad. As a taxpayer, as a resident, I would I would
like request you and also like if you all nine of you can at least apologize to us. Not just to us but all the stakeholders of Edison Township. It's not nice. It's not funny. And it's really really you know it it shows bad
on us. Our schools are doing so well. Our town is known for education and here we are. From where we go from here I don't know we don't know because it looks very very dark because program cuts also result in bringing our rating
down and bringing our schools down. So we are here in a big trouble and this is now from 12 to 6. God knows what will happen next year. Thank you. >> Thank you. next. Yes.
Chiroat Patel, Nottingham Road. So, we hear two voices today. Uh, as she mentioned, uh, none of them are happy. Uh, some of, uh, people are concerned about the preK. um how it's going to affect the kids um and taxpayer of
course uh about the tax rise. Uh I do agree with both of the sections but uh none of them are happy. So what does this mean? It means you messed up. You guys didn't do good job. Uh sorry if you
don't like it but uh that's what it means. Now there is a narrative created. What I feel here this is the first time I'm attending such meeting. I'm a new resident. Uh narrative created that uh people who are opposing the tax hike is
opposed to the betterment of kids. It is not like that. We chose to live here with a so high price of house because of education system nothing else. So that's not true. it just uh that it
is mismanaged. Uh I think it's not well thought not properly thought of like long back. I'm not sure but someone told me like there was a salary hike. Most of the decision that you guys took affect directly to the students. Uh if it's
true, you guys should have told that we're going to reverse the salary hike voluntarily because in current situation most of us are working in a private sector. None of us getting the salary hikes. There is a hiring freeze and even there are a lot of fighting.
So we have to understand the current situation and act accordingly in all the avenues. Now another thing that I wanted to say is that no one likes government. That's truth, right? Everyone hates it. There is a reason behind it and that's what we
are seeing right now. Um, everyone is using AI. I was never using chat GPD but nowadays I started using it in my company also for each department. They have a AI assistant and they started firing like whole team.
So this is a reality. I don't think we going to avoid it. It will happen. So, did you guys think about using AI for a non-essential job to reduce the budget and help us and I I want to predict something which
might be true in future all the resident will vote in future to have only two members here and rest AI assistant. We don't need you guys. If you can't create a good budget which take care of kids interest we don't need you nine of
member we just need two people who can oversight it then we will use AI we will pay good money to chat GPD or co-pilot or whatever so please be consious be aware this will happen believe me after
5 years we we don't want to see these pain people if they are not concerned and take a good decisions we don't need you guys Okay, thank you. >> Next. >> Okay. Motion to close.
>> Motion to close. Motion >> too far back. So, sorry. Excuse me. I've been moving between locations. You going to ask me for my address? >> You know who you are. >> I'll give you my address anyway. Um,
currently between two locations, 169 Edison Avenue, uh, and three Bradford Drive. May I speak now? >> Thank you. Okay. You guys create the problems and you
find the solutions. So, I'm pretty sure next year whoever's running next year is going to run their campaign that they're going to fund the preschool because you guys do that all the time. But
you were ready to spend 12%. So you cut 6% out. How much is the preschool going to cost if be funded as it is how how much would it cost? Do you know >> go through your all your questions and we'll address what we can. >> You guys weren't answering anyone's
questions except Miss Conway's. Um, anyway, I just find it unbelievable you guys were going to do a 12% increase. You cut 6% off, but you can't include the kindergarten
in there. Is there a reason for that? What would if you included the kindergarten, would it be an extra percent, percent and a half, 2%. How how much would it would it cost to run the program? Didn't Governor Murphy pass a law saying
that that you have to fund the preschool program? Doesn't matter. Can you please answer my question? Because when you answer my question, it's going to lead to the next question and I don't want to stand here for four minutes and just So, can you just answer my
question? How much it cost to fund the preschool? Senator, you can continue your comment and use the remaining 3 minutes and 55 seconds how you wish. >> And they can use use some of my time to answer my question. It's not a hard question off the top of their head. How
much does it cost to fund the kindergarten? >> Again, you can continue your comment if the questions can be answered. >> That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm making my comment. I don't need the commentary from the lawyer. I'm not speaking to you. Um, the board obviously
doesn't need legal advice from you at this moment. So, can you explain to me why you're even opening your mouth? >> Can you explain that to me? I'm not Don't waste my time. You can talk to me. You can talk to me afterward. How much does it cost to fund the preschool?
>> You go through all the comments. >> I'm voting for Joe Romano. when when the time comes, I'm voting for Joe Romano because he he he wouldn't defund the preschool. Um, absolutely disgusting. Of course, these guys want to defund the preschool. I I live in a country that we
bomb preschools over in Iran. So, absolutely disgusting. How much does it cost to fund the preschool? 1 million, 2 million, 3 million? How much does it cost? It it certainly
it's not going to cost 6% extra that you guys were were ready. How much does it cost? Is it small amount, a large amount? Because because everyone I spoken to, they don't mind paying a little extra
for the from for the preschool. Um it's the town council members. I don't want to get a raise. It's Mayor Sam Johi. I don't want to get a raise. Um I want to defund the police quite frankly. Um, not completely, but they keep giving themselves raises. They don't deserve
it. Well, quite frankly, they get they get promoted for targeting me. So, if you want to get promoted, just file false charges against me. Um, how much does the preschool cost to fund the preschool? How much would it
cost? I I find it a little ridiculous that, you know, I come to the board of education meeting. I haven't come here in like a year, 2 years, 3 years. It's a simple question. It's a minute 36 seconds left and you can't simply answer how much it cost to fund the preschool.
It's it's it's not hard. Do any I'm just going to assume none of you know it. Um cuz normally when someone knows something, they're very quick to answer. Um lawyer, do you know? Now I'm talking to
you. Do you know how much it cost? >> Please address all your questions here >> through the chair to the lawyer. Lawyer, do you know how much it cost to fund the uh preschool? Would you like to answer my question for me? >> You can choose to continue using your time as >> And I'm going to do that. I'm going to do that. I'd get better freaking
responses from Chad GPT than you guys. Um, I'm I think it it wouldn't even be more than than one and a half%. How much How much does it cost to fund the preschool?
Ask Sam Joy that question. Well, I don't need to ask Sam Jooshi that question because these are the guys that are going to vote upon it and and many of us residents, we don't mind to pay for the prek as it is. So, I
I hope you guys vote yes to it. I'm I'm a little bit disgusted that we can't simply answer it's going to cost three million, it's going to cost three and a half million. Um, I don't understand. Thank you, Dr. Alelli. >> Both.
>> Uh, yes. >> Cost of Cost for the >> Do I want to say something? I just gave Hold on, hold on, hold on. Let Let him answer, please. >> Yes. The uh local share, meaning the board's responsibility for prek would be roughly about $3.75 million. Thanks.
>> And and how much extra percent would that be up percentage wise? How much would that be? So it that's probably about, you know, in that 1.5 1.75%. It's a pretty good guesstimate. >> Mo, you're next. >> Sorry, I was at the gym. I just got
here. So I'm just going to make it brief. I don't know what you guys discussed before, but from the previous meeting, I know you have some Sam's clowns here that came here last time and basically said, "We don't want this budget. We don't want to pass this." The same clowns that are going to run for board of education this year are going
to be here trying to advocate for the PE for the students. While you're going to cut their budget, while you're going to cut their programs, while you're going to cut their kindergarten, while you want to cut their ACs, that's BS. And I have some board members here that were just complaining last year, last week,
last uh meeting that uh why don't we send this to the county and let them disregard the budget. Let them do that. You went from 12 to six. I commend you for doing that. For the past 5 years, you didn't raise the budget. You had 0%
increase for the past 5 years. Now that we don't have the money, you're raising it because you have to, not because you want to, because you have to. And the reason why these clowns that come here for Sam and all these guys, they want to put it on your head. you raising your
budget and raising your taxes, they want to put it on your head while they go ahead in close sessions raise the township rate by 9.5%. And then you want to go, you don't go there. Why don't you go to the township and complain there? Why is he raising the budget over there,
the taxes, and you don't want to go complain there? Because you're getting something out of it, either a uh ethic board position or the county position because you guys are greedy for yourselves. You don't think about the students. You don't give a about the students. So don't even tell me. No,
I have >> language. Language. >> All right. >> Please address it. >> So he wants to raise the rate at municipal building at 9.5%. You have some of the people here that are his minions that are going to come here and advocate for that. You should be advocating for the students. The
students. That's your responsibility. And if it's 6.5% or 75.5%, it's for the students. The reason why all of you guys move to this town is because of the education system. Don't knock it when it's needed. All right? The township is wasting your money away
left and right, but you don't go and care about that So, in conclusion, all I'm going to tell you is this. Pass the budget. Do whatever you need to do for our students. Period. That's the reason why you're sitting in that seat first and foremost. So, 6.5% is nothing. For the past 5 years, they raised it to
zero. Zero. And if they're asking for 65, what does that mean? The township raised it 14.5%. You didn't do about it. You didn't say anything about it. >> Sir, I'm going to have to remind you of my ass. >> Sir, I'm going to have to remind you, please.
>> Please. >> So, I get I get frustrated because you're here advocating against the students and that is foul. >> All right. No, >> please address. >> Please direct your comments to the chair. >> Sorry about that. >> Let's calm down. I'm animated for my
students, for my kids that go to this school. All 18,000 students by the time they're done. You have 19 buildings you got to take care of. 20 21. You're adding to the value of the homes in this town. So, if you have to raise it, raise it
for the students. And that's okay. Your values are increasing because of that. When you sell your home for a million dollars, where is that coming from? It's because of the education system right here. They're moving here because of that. They're spending a million dollars on those homes because of that. You're
making the man money out. So stop complaining about it. You want to complain, go to the township where you have nothing given for you. You have potholes in the road. >> Please direct your comments to the >> cheater. All right. So if you want to talk about increases, make sure your
your faces are in the township when they're increasing your rate by 9.5%. Will you say something then? No. because your positions are all in line for that cuz you want something from the mayor. You're getting a position here, ethic board there, that. So, at the
end of the day, do what is right for the students. That's the reason why you're sitting in those seats. Don't be knocking out because the there's someone that wants to get a position in the township or you want to run for something else. Monty was right here before. She wants to run for the board of education coming up this year. So,
he's here in complaining. So, enough is enough. Move >> vote >> yes to the budget. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Motion to close public portion. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay.
>> So, next one is president's report. So, I mean I want to genuinely you know thank all the board members for the time and energy they have spent over last seven eight weeks. Um I know it has not been you know easy.
I want to recognize Mr. Jarishi who is not here who spent countless hours even though when I was out of country he was making calls and and you know suggesting ideas to to make this work. Miss Sharon Pang who has spent countless hours and
keep your head up high. It was not an easy choices for us to make and all of us together had made some choices. So keep your head up and and chin up. Um, I believe this budget protects core instructions, classroom instructions
while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the district. And I ask all the board members to vote today and make a decision by keeping students success at the center of it and stand by it. Thank you.
>> Superintendent's comments. >> Thank you very much, board president Patel. Um, uh, good evening, ladies and gents. just a couple of uh announcements and accolades and a couple items that are on the agenda. First of all, um I wanted to uh wish congratulations to our
ACE mentor program team who participated in the uh construction industry roundtable national design and construction competition this past Monday in Washington DC. Uh special congratulations to Miss May and the team for their first place finish. Uh in
addition, one of our students actually won the uh it's the Mark A. Casso Memorial Scholarship Award uh for $10,000. So, we're thrilled to announce um that our teacher adviser as well, Miss May, has been chosen to serve on the board of directors, which will provide increased opportunities and
firsthand internships uh which I know is a uh a mission for this board as well as our students. So, thank you, Miss May. Thank you. And congratulations on the students. I think they deserve a round of applause in relationship to that. Right. We also remember Yeah.
It's great. Thank you so much. Um, this week also we celebrate teacher appreciation week and national nurses week. Uh, you know, we recognize these two groups that are essential to the district operation here. U, I want to say something to our phenomenal teachers
and our support staff and everybody kind of that makes the uh, the wheels go around here in Edison. You are the heart and soul of our schools. Thank you for inspiring curiosity, nurturing the potential in every single student. Your commitment makes a profound difference
in the lives of our children and it's a pleasure to work alongside of you each and every day. To our ex Yeah. Yeah. That you can clap at that one too. That's a good one. To and to the most popular office in every single school. To our school nurses,
thank you for serving as the front line of our health champions. Your expertise and compassion are essential in maintaining a safe and healthy and nurturing learning environment. Thank you so much for the work that you do. And that concludes my report for today,
Mr. Patel. >> Thank you, Doc. Um, next section is public comments for resolutions only. Yep. Yes. Yeah. Thank you. Am I recognized? >> Name and address, please. >> Name now. You want my name and address?
I gave both I gave >> I missed it. I missed it the first time. Come on. >> I gave two of you guys addresses before and you didn't stop. You want your address again? I'll give you your address. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. um 169 Edison Avenue and uh three Bradford
Drive and sometimes 9 Finch Court. When I'm in a good mood, I'm really at 9 Finch freaking Court. Um hell yeah. That's Jerry's address. Um so
hell yeah. Um where the hell are the resolutions? What page? I don't know what any of the resolutions are, but I I want to talk about them. I certainly want to talk. I'm against every one of them. Every freaking one of them. Uh what page are they on?
11. Thank you. God bless you. Thank you so much. God bless you. I can't even tell the freaking page numbers. There is no page number. Just >> page two through to the end. >> Two to the end. >> Two to the end.
>> Thank God bless you. Thank you. I'm against all of them except funding the kindergarten. Is the kindergarten on there? >> Preschool. >> Preschool. Yeah. Yeah. >> Last page. >> Last page. Well, we're going to fund that cuz we want to fund that.
Um 1 and a half% increase is not not that bad. All rather we increase it on this side than that corrupt mayor Sam Jooshi. All right. So, let's let's increase on this side because the more we increase on this side, he's going to be like, "Shit,
I can't I can't really increase it as much as I wanted to." So, he's going to have to makes him look bad, right? So, yes, we want the one and a half increase to go to uh preschool because I haven't heard not one resident
say they didn't want it. I only heard you guys say you don't want to fund it. um through the chair to Mr. To. Mr. Toth, uh uh I forgot. What did you say before? Uh 3 million. You said one and a half increase and it was what? 3 million.
>> 3.75. >> Three. That's not bad either. That's not Do you guys know how much Sam Johi's freaking spending over there? How much money he's wasting over there? >> No, you don't care. Um 3.75 million is not not too bad.
We have 100,000 residents. You know, it's not not that bad. Um, so Eric, I was going to give your address. I didn't want to give your address. I don't want to get beat up when I get out of here. All right. So, I didn't give
your freaking address. Um, okay. And yeah, we can't we can't fun things like the there's a lot of things that I want to say, but I'm limited in saying them because I'm somewhat at at a gag order.
Kind of a gag order. We'll wait 60 days from now. We'll wait 90 days from now when multiple victories head head my way. But you know, we're losing money on the subscription busing
because you you guys are just people who qualify for the busing. You're not giving them bus passes. People who don't qualify for the buses, you give them bus passes. You call them your constituents. You promise their fam uh uh family
members votes. Okay? And none none of this is theoretical. It's it's all been proven. Okay? No names. Um, just so we're losing money on the busing side because of you guys. Because you guys
order certain members within the transportation department just issue freaking bus passes to everyone that doesn't qualify. Meanwhile, those who do qualify had to wait almost a year even if their busing issues got resolved. And many of
them didn't. So, you're losing money on that. You're you're complaining you don't want to do one and a half increase percent increase on the on the preschool. Um, are you guys going to reconsider that?
You don't have to answer that till later, but we want it. Um, and yeah, I'm against every single resolution though. Oh This ain't the town council.
All right. All right. Just pass the one with the preschool. We're going to pass the one with the preschool. Uh, and we're going to remember I'm going to watch when election season comes up and I'm going to see who's running this year. I don't even know who's running, but whoever is running,
I'm pretty sure you guys are going to the first thing you're going to put on your uh campaign promise is you're going to fund the preschool. So again, you guys create the problems, you find the solutions. Um, who's running this year? Who whose
time's up on that board? You know, Michelle, whose time's up on the board? You don't know? Simple question. Okay. to the lawyer. Uh uh chair to the
lawyer. What do you think about a 1 and a half% increase? Do you have an opinion on that? >> I think if you have any more comments regarding the resolutions on the agenda, you have 11 seconds to make those comments. >> You don't have an opinion. You don't have an opinion on the one and a half% increase. Your opinion wouldn't have
mattered to me anyways. Um I just wanted to Thank you. I'll be back. I'm Joyce. Go. I would like to speak about two resolutions starting with teacher appreciation week. I think we should
applaud our teachers because teaching is not like it used to be. It's a very hard job. When I grew up, whatever the teacher said was right. You went to school to learn. You didn't bring all this electronic devices. You didn't have all this other stuff going on. So, I
just want all the teachers to know that we a lot of us believe in you. A lot of us know how hard your job is and we appreciate everything you do. We appreciate the long hours that you do because everybody thinks your job is from like 7 to three. They don't
understand the hours and stuff you put into planning. the hours and stuff you put into extracurricular, the hours, the hours and stuff you spend into talking to some students who would just love somebody to listen to them and pay attention to them. And I also would like
to thank the nurses because that nurs's job is much much harder than it used to be and it's going up more and more each year because they have to handle more things than they did in the past. In the past they may have had a nose bleed or
something something small but right now they have like the heart defibrillators they have so much other stuff that they have to be aware of. They have to be aware of children's allergies the epipens right so I applaud you
wholeheartedly and I I just wish the nurses and the teachers the best of everything. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next >> motion to close public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Okay. So the next thing is during the caucus meeting we table the termination of tal major acquisition. So we need a motion to unt. So do I have a motion to untal major acquisition resolution from last meeting? >> Yes. Motion on table.
>> I'll second it. >> Roll call, please. >> All right. So this is too untable. Mr. Azerello, >> no. >> Mr. Ero, >> no.
>> Mr. Ronac Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Lugo, >> yes. >> Miss Anja Patel. >> Because our last meeting I missed some uh information and I needed more information. So for
on table, no. Miss White, >> yes. >> Miss Pang, >> no. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Motion fails. >> Thank you.
Next is motion to approve the budget. Can I have a motion? Motion. >> I'll second it. >> Vote, please. >> Mr. Azerello. >> Yes. >> Mr. Erico.
>> No. >> Mr. Ronac Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. >> No. >> Miss Anja Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss White.
>> No. But I would just like to add this. The reason why I'm voting no is because of the staff reductions that bothers me terribly and some of the program cuts. And that is the reason why I'm voting no.
>> Miss Pang. >> Yes. >> President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Motion to approve personnel motion.
Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Mr. Azerillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Erico. >> Uh, yes on everything. No on Donald Marker. >> Noted. >> Mr. Ronac Patel.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. >> Yes. >> Miss Angina Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss White. >> Yes. >> Miss Pang. Yes. >> President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Motion to approve administration
curriculum and instruction and pupil special services. >> Motion curriculum instruction. >> I'll second it. >> Mr. Azerello. >> Yes. >> Mr. Erico.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Ronac Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. >> Yes. >> Missed Patel. >> Yes. Miss White, >> yes. >> Miss Pang, >> yes. >> President Patel, >> yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Motion to approve finance. >> Motion. Second. >> Mr. Azerello. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ero. >> A question to the board president. Is that number 14? >> 15. >> 15.
>> 15. Where's 15? >> 14. >> It's 14. >> I don't see a 15. 14. Finance report. >> Yeah. Finance report. >> It's finance report. >> Yeah, it's 14. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes.
>> Thank you. >> Mr. Ronach Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. >> No. Miss Angela Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss White, >> no. >> Miss Pang,
>> yes. >> Mr. Vishel or President Patel? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. The next is public comments. >> Anyone? >> Okay. Do I have a motion to >> motion to close?
>> Motion to close. >> Okay. Go ahead, Chris. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Sure. >> Ninefinch Court. I've always lived on Ninefinch Court. Am I recognized? >> And name? >> My name? >> Yeah,
>> my my name is everybody's name. Am I recognized? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um, I really don't understand why why we can spend n$9 billion on a on a plot of land,
but you can't even fund the the preschool. You'd be able to fund that preschool for two years. Okay? It's not not the board of educations. You're not the zoning board. Okay? We know Sam Johoshi's corrupt. We know they're building houses
everywhere. but they just spend the money that's meant for the kids. All right. So that that $9 million was spent was was to be spent on programs um enlarging the classrooms, whatever uh uh for the teachers, whatever it may be.
Yet you guys took that 9 million to purchase a plot of land, okay? Because you you guys didn't want you guys said, "Oh, we were going to have more students." Um, but let's be uh quite frank. The majority of you live in North Edison, okay? And you guys just wanted
to use the board of education funds. So this way apartment buildings weren't weren't built in your neighborhoods. That's what really what it is. So you guys are building many mansions over there. Okay. But you guys freak out if there's an apartment building, a
condominium going to be built. You guys say, "Oh, you they're going to flood flood our schools with more kids." And then you complain that the state cut our funding because we we don't have enough kids enrolling in the schools. So, it's like we're in the Twilight Zone over
here, you know. Um, did you guys take take the vote for the preschool? Cuz I wasn't really paying attention. Did you take the vote for the preschool? Are you going to fund the preschool? It's a shame that you guys aren't going to fund the preschool. Um,
we live in a society today where we would rather cheer bombing little girls in their preschools. Okay. Um rather than than funding the preschools for the little kids. It's all right. It's a sick society. It's it's the
Twilight Zone we're living in. Every day that goes by, more and more Americans are now realizing that the politicians that they've been appointing have been vampires this whole time. Um, it's not my opinion. It's it's out in the open.
The government can't cover it up no more. Uh, I'm going to wait when there's less I I'm I'm going to wait when when these meetings are almost no parents whatever because I want I want to talk about what happened in Sville with the Serville High School.
Janet, I'll save that for the for next time. But, you know, you guys are very disgusting people. $9 million for for for a piece of land, okay, that has no function for the
school. Um, even if if you were to to build something on it in the future, none of the funds for the BOE should have ever went to that. None of the funds for the BOE should have ever been built built for th those freaking cricket fields. Okay? Um, I'm disgusted
in those cricket fields. If I had the choice, I would burn down every freaking cricket field. I would take a bulldozer. I would bulldoze those freaking cricket fields. I wish Jerry was here because he really likes the cricket fields. Um, I'm just disgusted at what you guys do.
Um, and then we have members of the public complaining, hey, we have we have too much white people being hired. You know, in society, if you're qualified to do the job, you're going to get hired. Um they just they just want people to be
hired with less qualifications. Let's be quite frank. They they want people to be hired from their own religion, from their own country. They call a DEI. This is racism. This is reverse racism. Okay. A lot a lot of
these teachers that you call white teachers, they've been here before you guys even moved here. And so that's what we're going to do every year. Um, we got forced gentrification. We got reverse gentrification here in Edison,
New Jersey, where the whites, the blacks, the Latinos were being pushed out by by a certain c certain minority group of people. We don't complain about it. We welcomed everybody. But now that you guys become the uh
majority, you guys show your muscles. When when it's one person, they're your best friend. When it's two people, they're your best friend. Wait when it's 20 of them. Wait when it when it's 25 of them. Wait when they become the majority. Then you're going to see their true face. Then they're going to start showing their quote
unquote muscles. um they're going to refuse bus passes to the kids that that are qualified for them. But then the kids that don't qualify for the bus passes, we're going to give those kids the bus passes. We're
going to lose the money. Why? Because we all go to the same temple. That's disgusting. That's that's that's what racism really is. Okay. Um it's discrimination. The Edison Board of Education has has uh
for many years, for all at least seven plus years, I've been watching this discrimination go on. And then be be accused of being a racist for observing uh for noticing this reverse racism. I'm sick of it. I'm disgusted by it. Um and
you shouldn't worry if the teacher's white, black, Latino. Uh if they're qualified, let them stay. >> Thank you. No, no, Matt. Not you, Matt. >> Sorry. >> Hello everyone. My name is Nesh Daw, 13
Remington Drive. I guess president is not here, so I'm going to address to vice president. Yes sir. >> Uh Miss Shanpang uh the first question and the concern actually I have on behalf of the residents is that many of
us asked several questions. They raised genuine concerns and they were told that at the end before we vote for whatever you're going to vote we will be answering those questions or concerns. But I would like to have it on official
record of yours that none of those questions or concerns were answered and that is very very disappointing. The second thing I would like to bring it to your attention is about April 23rd meeting where a president almost lost us
a million dollar lawsuit and that is very irresponsible and I'll explain why and how. The lawyer, the attorney who was representing a board at that time, he issued a very confusing statement to an innocent citizen like me that I can
and cannot speak on certain public comments which made me think that I cannot speak on a Talmage land and he very creatively put that statement so that we got confused and we did not ask those questions. In fact, my request to
the board is that you guys have an authority to stop such kind of a behavior and I sincerely request all of you that next time please don't hire such attorneys because at at the end of the day it's our money you are putting at stake and I sincerely request you to
keep this in mind. The third point I would like to bring is about my communication with BA. Now this question is not directly directed to Mr. thought. However, this question is directed to the president and the vice president and the entire board. a conversation email
which was forwarded to me pertaining to reclassification of the land where he in fact forwarded me the email of a very casual conversation he had and mind you I'm repeating my statement very casual conversational email he had with Leo if
I'm not wrong uh asking him hey can we reclassify this and he responded no under NJ blah blah blah we cannot reclassify this my understanding and based on whatever to a discussion I had with my lawyers and the lawyers of other townships who represent education board
they said this is not the way it works you have to file a formal petition kind of a thing I'm for a lack of better term I'm going to use the word petition this question is not for Mr. growth. The question is for the board. I very openly
offered you my services of the people of this town that hey if you cannot make this happen tell me I will bring thousand people in front of the door of those who can make a decision why did you not step up this is disappointing
this is absolutely disappointing so my question is not to him my question is to the board you guys have been voted by us and you are not fulfilling your responsibilities This is absolutely disappointing. The third and most important point about
Atalage ruland $9 million uh decision in my opinion not only just my opinion but the opinion of thousands of people I have submitted a petition is that it's a reckless decision. The land is not developable at all. One of the respected
board member here is saying that I have not studied it. What was she doing? Was she sleeping from 23rd to 28th? Looks like that. That is that is disappointing. 30 to $40 million of an additional
expense on the top of it. Wow. You guys are simply playing with our money. That is ridiculous. That is absolutely ridiculous. Now 1 minute and 55 seconds I'm going to use to chant this thing.
Whoever has tabled it. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Resign. Resign. Resign. Resign. Resign.
Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. Resign. Resign. Resign. resign. >> It's It's not productive. I'm sorry. Thank you.
>> One last time. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you. >> Shame on you. Shame on you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next. >> Okay. Motion to close for >> motion to close.
>> I think Matt. >> Oh, Matt. Sorry. I didn't see you. >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead. Go ahead, Matt. >> Uh Mullen. >> Oh, he's quick. >> Okay. We have people coming in here trying to tell you what is right. I'm I'm I'm addressing you guys. We have people coming in here from the township
where they're sent out here like minions to come and complain about what you're doing. But what they want to do is put a blind eye to what the township has done to go and increase your taxes. Every year the township increases $20
million by getting bonds. When you go and get $20 million in bonds, guess what happens? You're paying interest on that. By now, we have over a hundred million in bonds that the township has already taken out, and you're paying for it. But none of you guys have gone to the
township to complain about $20 million every year that they're taking out in loans by getting those bonds down. But you want to come here and complain about a 6% increase that is happening after 5 years of 0% increase. Shame on you.
Shame on you. Shame on you. Resign. Resign. Resign. Why don't you chant that in the township? For the past five years, they increased your tax by 14.5%. You didn't go there and chant your shame on you and resign to the sham. But you
come here at this board and take it out on our students. The reason why you bought a house in this town is because of this school system. Plain and simple. The reason why your value in your homes are up is because of this school system.
If you don't like it, go to South Planefield or somewhere else and try to buy a house there, right? You won't do it because you love the school system here so much that you don't want to spend the money on it. After so many years, we actually would
have made this high school and the other high school and all the other schools so great, but we had board members back then playing politics as well. They refused to build this school when it was almost zero in interest. We could have
saved so much money. We had funding from the state at that time, too. And for $89 million, you would have had a brand new freaking high school. But you didn't do it. Then we were going to move into Edison High School. Then the four What? What did you do? Instead of building classrooms, you built freaking
gymnasiums. You wasted our money then, too. The township wasted their money. They built two turfs for double the cost that you did for one turf. It is so egregious that you come here
and complain about our students getting what they want. But when the sham does all his crap over there in the township, you don't want to go complain because you're fat and happy with your position that you got in the Middle Sex County or in the freaking ethics board or somewhere else. And then you want to come in and play politics here with our
students because you want to run for an office and this way you have a talking point when you run. That's all BS. Stop playing politics with our kids. Give them what they need, the services they deserve, and be happy that your values are going up because of the school
system instead of whining and moaning about this >> I will say thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> Shivi Allison quote. Uh, two things. First, is there a way that you guys can
reduce the volume of the speaker when somebody yells at the mic because it's very hurtful to the ear. Second, um when when uh people are talking, >> sir, please do not disturb her when she's making her comment. She didn't interrupt you when you made your comment.
>> Thank Thank you so much. And the second, when a speaker comes and speaks here, you need to remind the speaker that they're speaking to you guys. they're not speaking to the audience. Um third and the reason why I came here
is that um the placement criteria it's a very important piece of um information that is shared with students and families at the beginning of the year and students work very hard through the
year to make sure that they're meeting all the criteria so that they can go into the class that they have chosen to or they want to go now, especially in middle school because there's a track. When students get into the pre-alggebra track, it's much easier for them to get
to the calculus BC in 11th grade, which is so important. All the uh premier colleges look for calculus BC on a child's um resume. Now, if you don't get into the pre-alggebra track, it becomes very hard to get to that calculus BC.
And now many students in sixth grade are being told retroactively that there is a problem with Edmonton and it went and kind of recalculated recalibrated everything and even though the Edmonton score is showing that they
should get into pre-alggebra they are being told sorry you're not getting into pre-alggebra so if somebody could uh Dr. Rally if somebody could take a look and make sure that students who worked hard to be in a certain level uh if they're meeting all the criteria they should be
able to get into that course and that's all. Thank you so much. >> Thank you comments on that. >> Yeah, absolutely. Um especially in relationship to the the criteria. Uh, thank you for bringing that to my attention and I will uh follow up in relationship to the
>> Thank you, Matt. >> Matt Revnack, ETA president. Uh, just a couple things of good nature. Uh, first of all, last week uh, Wednesday, we had what's called the Friends of Education dinner over with Middle Sex County uh, union and two people from our district
were recognized. first of all was our teacher of the year from this year, Pam Ang, but also and I was very proud to nominate and she was the winner of the Friends of Education uh ESP community award which was Patricia KTO um not only for what she's
given to our district and the county. She's actually been the county secretary for a number of years, but her involvement with the hands of hope program here in Edison um with all the you know charitable uh uh events that they have things like you know gift
cards for the children and and toys and all for Christmas and for Thanksgiving etc. So again those are the two great people from our district that were acknowledged. Uh this Thursday we have the read AC ETA read across America award ceremony. I know Dr. Alderelli
will be coming. I did invite him as always. So, thank you for coming on Thursday. Dr. Alderelli, we'll give you a couple minutes to say some things. Um, but again, it's a great event to acknowledge our um artists that do the read across America uh in in
coordination with the reading of the books and all. And uh we have a nice little event 6 o'clock at Ben Franklin School. Uh we actually give out gift cards to two winners at each grade level, three at the high schools total
and um we you know have little bit to eat pizza and stuff like that. So it's a it's a wonderful night. Um next uh on on June 4th you guys will be getting an invitation just to let you know keep it open and hopefully you respond promptly.
Um they'll be coming out soon for our ETA retirement dinner where we acknowledge all of our you know people that are retiring and not only our ETA members but we also invite all the members custodians administrators etc. So as always uh board members and
central administration and all your invites will be coming out very shortly. Finally, I do want to mention again um thank you again for acknowledging teacher appreciation week coming up and nurses appreciation week. You know, I am very proud to be the president of the
association that represents our teachers, our support staff, you know, which includes our nurses as well. Um, as far as I'm concerned, we have the finest group of people that work for us in the state of New Jersey, and it shows with the results that our people do put
out. I did appreciate what um Miss Ship said before, Ship Freeman. You know, people don't realize what's involved as an educator. You know, I always said the easiest part of my job was when I was in the classroom. It was all the time and
effort that I put in prior to and in the evenings um preparing for my lessons, getting things together, grading papers, you know, creating projects and worksheets, talking to parents, talking to students. So, it's all those other things and I know a couple of you up
there have been involved or are involved in education. You know what I'm talking about. And for our nurses, as was mentioned, you know, it is the sort of nice place to go, safe place to go. But I always in many schools when I visit, I
visit the nurses and it's wonderful to see again the relationship they have with the students, especially at the elementary level where they have those little scrapes on their knees from the playground and, you know, things like that. So, you know, I do thank all of my
the people I represent, our teachers and our nurses and wish them, you know, um and thank them for their time and efforts and wish them a great week in acknowledgement of that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Good evening. My name is Carrie KTO and
I'm a proud special education teacher at James Monroe. Teacher appreciation week is next week and it feels especially meaningful this year. Since the initial budget announcement in March, our teachers have been carrying a lot more than usual. Our non-tenured staff have been facing
uncertainty about their jobs. Others have been navigating concerns about transfers. And through it all, the rumors, public backlash, and all the noise on social media, they've continued to show up with consistency, care, and heart. Every single day, they walk into
their classrooms with patience, resilience, and a commitment to their kids that doesn't waver. They continue to smile, to support, and to give their students what they need, no matter what's happening around them. So, to our staff, I want to say thank you. No
matter what happens in the days ahead, please known know that your work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. Keep showing up. Keep giving these kids everything you have. You make a difference. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks, Harish. Harish Tatirini, 45 McKinley Street. Uh, so I was watching online um and I think most of my questions were covered. Um, regarding the prek uh I forgot to
mention in the last meeting uh there was one lady who made a very uh sensible point. Is it by any chance possible to continue the prek through the state program only for the low-inccome group
the underprivileged group and if so how much will it cost so some numbers might have to be run and my understanding was this uh that after the after covid there was the study done for early learning
loss as they say and it was most pronounced in the underprivileged low-inccome group who really need the prek. For them, prek is a need. It's not a want. So, that is one thing that uh we can u run the numbers on and see. Again,
I don't know the legal issues. I can just throw out ideas. 50% of them might not work. I understand that. Um I had two three more trying to remember. So, so anyway um so the Talmage land we
are allowed to talk right? So I mean I have a completely different take on that. Not many people agreed with me on the social media but it is what it is. I mean see
uh I didn't marry my wife because um my greatest enemy was in love with her and I wanted him to uh wanted uh to make him feel bad. I married my wife because I really liked her.
So applying the same analogy, we should not be uh buying Talmage land to stop the apartments or something of that sort. When it comes to that stage, we will last time we there were 200 of
us in the council meeting. This time it will be 500. Some people didn't bother to show up for whatever reasons. I don't want to talk about them and their reasons, but we had enough strength to make it happen. Same with the Charlie Brown Town Homes. So again, I'll repeat
the boring thing which I mentioned on social media several times and most of uh you read it. Some of you may not be aware. We need a proper discounted cash flow analysis with the right assumptions
to show that whatever project we are picking let it be the special ed uh for the severe cases where we spend 60k per child for sending outside because special ed as it is it's very complicated not many people can do it there is shortage and all those things
transportation whatever or the sports bubble or I mean right now there are like half a dozen ideas floating ing and nobody knows what's happening and there's a lot of frustration uh regarding this lack of transparency and all. Uh so hopefully in the next BOE
meeting we can have a proper uh qualitative and quantitative analysis of whatever project we are trying to do on Talmage land. Uh I can help with that. Um but it is it is a lot of work because we
need to get the right comparables, right discount rate. uh we need to get the right uh cash flow revenues. Putting in the cost items is much more easier. So we need to do that before we can say yes or no. Uh that is my take. I mean as I
said not many people liked my stand. Um uh most people were thinking that uh this 9 million can be applied towards the operations budget and be reduced to 2%. U which we knew a long time back was not possible.
So the prek the talmage. Um so now that the AC is cut. Where's my best friend? He left. Oh see >> there. >> Okay. I thought you were ignoring me John. Anyway, so uh for two years I have
been u trying to get this thing done. So the fans summer is coming. So we are back in business with the fans. So next BOE meeting can we get the accurate number how many ordered how many installed in which school
uh I think 50% of the problems are uh due to lack of transparency and it would be of great help if either the BOE members or superintendent or BA either in the BOE meeting or on the
social media you guys can answer that will help You win the trust of the people when you don't answer even when you know the answer people are thinking oh that there must be something suspicious he's hiding and one thing leads to other
so next BOE meeting can we have um some more details about this uh prek for underprivileged how much will it cost is it doable legally possible fans uh then the complete uh pick one or two maximum
two projects and also I I believe you guys are already talking to the experts regarding the flood area wetlands and all that whatever grocery deeds and everything is it even possible if not possible there's nothing wrong in backing out
on the township side when the um Comcast came the mayor said goodbye to the municipal broadband and I supported him because that is the right decision we don't want to waste money if something is not possible, let's cancel it. But if something is possible, you have to be transparent because this time is
crucial. Every penny counts. Thank you. >> You already spoke once, so yeah. >> No, no rebuttal. Sorry. Anyone else? >> Motion to close public portion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I mico.
>> Yes. Um, I have one uh question. I was probably a little confused. Um, because there's two number 14s and I didn't realize we were voting on 14 through the end of the agenda. I was waiting for the finance report vote.
>> So, uh, in speaking with the attorney, >> yeah, did he I believe that he would like to, uh, set forth a motion to amend, uh, his vote on that prior motion. I believe just this is section 14F, >> right? So this is now should have been
15, correct? So item 15. Can we have a revote from all the board members on 15 or No, >> we just need to correct his, right? We don't need to >> correct yours. >> Yes, just to correct yours. >> Okay. So I'm voting uh no on I'm sorry. I'm making a motion. >> Yes. You're making a motion to change to
change your vote to no as to 15F. >> I approve it. F. >> Go for it. >> Under under grants. Yes. So, I'm amending my I'm making a motion to amend my vote under F for grants. I'm uh voting no on us turning away grant money
for preschool. >> Thank you, Ralph. >> I'd like to do the same. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Like to do the same. >> Thank you. >> I would like to say no. >> Same. No. >> All right. So, that's one.
>> Okay. just just just to clean this up. All right, we'll do a motion to rescend the previous order as to as to 15F and then we'll just do a new vote. So th this this the first vote is to resend the approval of 15F.
>> Gotcha. >> Because you already approved it, >> right? >> So that the first vote is to resend the approval as to >> See, I I thought the rejection of preschool education was going to be a separate vote. >> I thought so. that I was going to vote no. >> Okay. So,
>> I didn't know it was carried into >> I I can't make any motions. >> Right. Real real quick, >> I want to make a a point of clarification before you resend or whatever it is you guys are going to do. If this if you resend and then you vote
in the you approve the acceptance of the grant, you don't have funding in the budget for the local share, which means that you're going to go have to go back and change the budget. Correct. >> Just so you know that. >> Yep. >> All right. So, I'm still rescending my
vote for rejection of preschool education. >> Okay. So, so we need a we need a motion because everybody wants to vote. >> I need a mo I need a motion to resend approval of 15F grants. >> Gotcha. So, I'm going to make a motion
to uh I guess revote on 15F grants. >> No, no, no, no. A motion to resend rescend the approval of 15F grants. >> Motion to resend 15 F grants. >> Seconded.
>> So we have a motion by Ralph. I'm sorry. >> All in favor? I >> All right. We'll roll call. >> Mr. Azerelloo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ronac Patel
>> we only removing >> right >> the prek everything else going to be same right >> yes >> yeah but if you rein prek the budget fails cuz budget is tied with it >> okay we cannot approve the budget and DC the funding both at the same time got it
no >> okay Mr. Lugo. >> All right. I have to admit I'm a little confused. My vote is the same as last time. >> Yeah. >> No. >> So, it's a no. >> Okay. >> This isn't the vote on the underlying
motion. This is the vote to resend the approval of the previous motion. >> So, this is your you're deciding whether you want to vote again >> with this vote right now >> to vote again. That's what the the
motion on the floor is to vote again. >> No. >> Okay. >> To accept the prek. >> Not yet. >> The motion on the floor is to vote again. >> Just to vote again. >> Yeah. Let's just vote again. Right. I think everybody wants to vote again. >> Going through the rolls. >> Okay. >> Miss Angina Patel.
>> Yes. >> Miss White. >> Yes. >> Miss Pang? >> Yes. Uh, President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Now, we will
vote again on uh the prek grant and the acceptance of state age which will then Okay, here we go. Mr. Azerell says the motion is to accept the state aid. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> Oh, wait, wait, wait. >> The motion is still rejection. The no the motion as written on the agenda is >> to approve the rejection of state aid. So if you want to accept the the state aid, you're voting no. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. >> Are we all set?
>> Yep. >> Well, who who's making the motion? >> I I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Azerella. Now you got me so again.
C >> can we make this clear a little bit more? >> So if if if there's four four on this vote, right? >> Then that means this doesn't get passed and also the budget doesn't get passed. >> Not true. Is that true?
>> Because that means >> so so if there's a four four >> the rejection doesn't pass. >> No, no, sorry. Rejection passes, right? You need five >> to accept the rejection. >> Correct. >> Got it. So if we want to reject it,
we're voting no >> or yes. I just want to make sure you're >> rejecting. If you if you want to reject, you're voting yes. If you do not want to reject, you're voting no. >> Right. So, >> but Miss Pang, Miss Pang, for clarity, if I don't through the through the chair >> right now, I think what you're asking is
there was a budget vote this evening which that the budget that was approved >> does not have prek in it funding from the local share >> which in turn which in turn would be grant funding as well. We are denying
not only the grant funding but also the board of education funding associated with that. Does that does that answer your question? >> Yes. But is does every >> Yes. So does everybody understand that you know once we
vote on no on rejecting the grant it means we are failing the budget as well. >> We could always increase the budget >> because >> correct at least for now we are failing the budget right we have until May 14. Technically, you're not failing the
budget, >> right? >> You're just telling us to take apples and replace them with oranges. You're going to you're going to need basically $3.7 million. You're going to cut you're going to fund the local share, but you're going to take it from somewhere else. Whether that's
I I don't know. You know, that's that's a that's not $50,000. That's a big big move. I mean, so >> so so that's okay. Let's vote on it and then we still have more time still to figure that out, right? Again,
>> the preschool should have should have been included with the budget. >> Should have. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, you vote we're voting yes to reject. Go ahead. If we're voting yes, I'm not selling how people vote. >> That That's correct. If you if you want
to reject the the the grant money, you're voting yes. Gotcha. >> Okay. Mr. Azerello, >> no. >> Mr. Ero, >> no. Mr. Ronac Patel, >> no. >> Mr. Lugo,
>> no. >> Miss Ana Patel, >> no. >> Miss White, >> no. >> Miss Pang, >> this point. What's What's the point? Don't know that because there's there's no way this is going to pass then.
>> Yeah. So, what's your word? Sorry for the record. >> No. Then Mr. Resistant >> Mr. President Patel. >> Yes. >> Your Yes. So the motion will carry.
>> But now this is >> so the next meeting we Yeah. We if you have to we have to go back to drawing board and next meeting we come back with something >> we have a we have a budget >> currently >> but we'll have to >> but we're going to >> the budget budget's passed from some
place else. >> Okay, we're good. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. >> The attorney and Mr. >> Board member comments. >> Are we not done? >> Board member comments. >> We're not done. >> All right. >> Anyone? >> Yeah, I do. I do. Oh, Mr.
>> Yeah, go for I do have a few questions for our uh business administrator. >> Sure. >> To help clarify some of the concerns from our community. Um and John I I don't need you to go to details because I 100% trust your professional judgment. So just a brief answer will be very
would be sufficient. Um so about the land the talage land what is the appraisal value of the land? >> Uh off the top of my head I believe the land appraised for somewhere between 10.4 4 and $10.6 million. Top of my head.
>> Okay. Thank you. And we negotiated down to $9 million, right? >> Yes. The you the agreed upon purchase price with the seller was $9 million. That's correct. >> Okay. And if this deal is canceled, how much deposit will be lost? >> You're going to lose a half a million.
>> Okay. Can So, we're going to get $8.5 million back to the capital reserve. Can this money be used to pay operation no cost such as salaries, books, utility bills? >> Not what? None whatsoever. This will go back into capital reserve for the use
for a capital project. We were in in no way, shape or form does this uh money that comes back help us with the operating budget. >> It cannot be used towards the 1920 million outlay either. Right. >> No. So, if you look at that capital
outlay of that, you know, 20.5 million, $19.5 million are for capital lease payments, um, short-term payments that are classified under the accounting principles that are less than five years are funded, they're they're classified as, uh, current expenses, which are
funded through the operating budget. So, it does not help even with those payments. >> Okay. Thanks. And if the $8.5 million um can be used somewhere somewhere, can it be in any way,
shape, or form to help cut the six point 6% budget to reduce the 6% tax levy any further? Now, I I mean, if if the if the board so choose to um terminate this land deal, that that $8.5 million is not
going to help the operating budget or any of the budgeted items that we talked about tonight. It will simply go back into the capital reserve and sit there until um the board uh takes action on an item in the long range facilities plan such as u maybe roofing that you know
you can do with that they you know $8.5 million. >> Okay. But those are great questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for clarifying them. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I I I think we already heard clearly and repeatedly from our administration team that if we cancel
the land deal, the $8.5 million goes back to capital reserve. And by law, it cannot be used to offset any operational expense. Therefore, it has zero impact on lowering taxes. So now let's look at the big picture.
Most of our budget are uh salaries and benefit and by contract they increase three to 5% every year and by law we have to pay for that and our utility bills keeps going up too right my own utility bill increased 40%
last year and state aid uh it can drop another 6% next year so what's our plan are we plan to have another doubledigit tax increase next year or year after that we we need to reduce our operational
budget and that's where this land comes in hand. It gives us two opportunities. One, it prevents the 250 apartments from being built and overcrowded our schools.
Two, it creates a path for long-term financing for a project such as like a special ed facility. That would cost us about $3 million per year to finance while saving roughly $15 million
annually to help us avoid constant tax increase. Can we ask the audience to be a little quiet? Um so this is is a vision of the board to
help the district and the taxpayer in long term and this only works if the land is buildable of course and let me assure you that I will never vote for to buy something that we cannot use. I'm sure the board is the same way. But with
that said, we still have at least two months before closing the deal. No need to rush to act on just based on social media speculations and risk losing our $500,000 deposit. We have directed our
architect and engineer to review all potential issues and confirm whether the land is developable. If it is not, we can cancel the deal any time. But with the official report from our the professionals, we would have a stronger
case to recover the deposit or part of it at least. And this is half a million dollars of taxpayer money that we're talking about. It's not a small amount. We have to be responsible to our children, to our taxpayers. And that's why um we need to take some time to make
a careful and more informed decision. Um I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate our JP orchestra team that won national championship. Very very proud of them um for the students and their adviserss. I hope also hope
that they enjoy the new state-of-the-art orchestra room that we built in JP. And earlier I saw some kids playing tennis on our brand new tennis courts too. Um, so if you guys have time, if you have children, uh, tour our new three-story
building at JP. Uh, this is our new auditorium. And, uh, you know, ask your kids, um, did they see the new classroom? Because we have 17 70 new classroom built in the last few years. And do did they see the new gyms that in
all of our middle schools, um, the new kitchens, the lockers? That's where the $147 million state aid goes in just in case someone asked because every everything in our school has a cost. Everything has a price. But
I would say seeing our students winning state or national championship titles or forget about winning, I'm just working on something that they love. I I think that's priceless. So thank you. That's all.
>> President. >> Okay. Now that we cleared up what the uh $8.5 million won't do, let's clear up what it can do. So that $8.5 million and it goes back into capital that could uh that could further uh the AC, the air
conditioning projects in schools, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. That could put new roofs on uh repairs on roofs on schools. Correct. >> Yes. that could buy or buy brand new equipment for the equipment that we uh
they just voted a cut. Correct. The musical equipment. >> Yeah. Yes. >> They could actually help update uh outdated electrical systems or uh in our schools. Correct. >> Yes. >> They could they could put fans in our classrooms. Correct.
>> Well, I don't I wouldn't think we're talking about box fans, but I'm thinking about something >> like maybe like ceiling fans. >> Yeah, I would I would assume so. depending upon the cost, right, that it's a capital asset. I would I would think so. >> Okay. What about the playgrounds that were cut? Will it could it cover that? >> Yes. >> School buses?
>> Yes. >> So, there's a lot that we could do with $8.5 million. >> Yes. >> Anyone else? >> Excuse me, sir. >> Anyone else? Board members. >> Thank you. No, no, no. Sir, sir, please
do not interrupt the sir. Please do not interrupt the meeting. >> Board members and yes, Ralph, please. >> Uh, couple things. One, to Mr. Lugo's point. Um, I would love to see how he's going to figure out where to put 500 students when those condos are built there. So, I don't know. That'll cost us
at least 20 million, 30 million to build, you know. So, you know, he could do all those little great things. He was against air conditioning originally. Now he's for air conditioning. Okay. So, yeah, we kind of flip-flop a little bit. Um, to good news, though. So, um, the
Edison High School, uh, baseball team, uh, was crowned the Red Division champs today, uh, for the first time since 2013. Um, they're going to be one of the top seeds in the GMC and also the number one seed in Central Jersey Group Four.
That's a great accomplishment. Now, those are team accomplish accomplishments, but I know Connor Murphy would like none nothing else but to win a championship. Connor was named athlete of the week for pitching a no hitter against St. Joe's High School. Great job, Edison High School. Thank you.
>> Go Connor. >> Board President, >> please. >> Uh why weren't these items uh taken care of before? Why are we just worried about bringing 8.5 million from one one aspect
and covering everything now? Were they why why wasn't this this taken care of before? >> What do you mean? >> Can you explain? I don't I don't get you. >> As far as air conditioning, uh playgrounds being safe for for students
during recess and after school, uh band band instruments. Why weren't these uh these items taken care of before? Why are we worried about not not pursuing a land deal and putting that money to something else?
>> I don't I'm not sure what you're trying to ask me. >> So >> because we need money can't do everything without money. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Got the answer. Thank you. Anyone else?
>> Yes. I would like to thank you all recognized student tonight and my question is I know somebody upset and says I'm sleepy to like I can't take disease and because of my health issue I didn't attend last
meeting so I have a right to know what's going on before I vote for something I need more information so I I don't want to hurt nobody's feeling if I did I'm sorry about that but I need more information to make
something right for Kates. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> I do have >> No, I just have one question uh for, you know, through you to Ralph is the way it goes. >> How do you know they're going to build 250?
>> What do you think they're going to do with that property, Mr. >> Well, >> what do you think they're going to do with that property? Let it sit there. Amusement park. >> I don't know. It's >> I know they're going to build there. >> I beg your point. Can I can I make a comment on >> I just wonder was wondering how do you know that? >> What do they do with open land in this
town? What do they do with open land in this town? >> Well, we just heard that that's wet land, didn't we? >> It's a quarter of an acre out of nine. >> Well, >> so they'll build on eight and 3/4 acres. >> Well, time will tell. >> Yes, it will. >> And if and if we're not doing doing the
right thing by the now, >> let's not throw stones. We all we all voted based on our conscious. We're sitting here because we care about the students. >> We care about the students, the parents, the teachers, the faculty, everybody that makes this a success.
>> So, you know, it's if we if we're not taking care of the students now, we can't find it in a budget because people are going to complain whether it's 12%, 2%, 8%. That's not right. We really what what matters is what's what's being done
for the kids, for the students. if for the parents and the families and the teachers, it's it's the the prek should is a necessity. That should happen. That's that's that's a pivotal point going into kindergarten, especially with
AI and automation. you know, the kids need really need a jump, a head jump into uh kindergarten, first grade, you know, and and and it's it's a disservice to the teachers to to worry about if they're getting laid off or fired if they don't have a job. How could they
comfort comfortably teach when they're worried about their job and they're still doing it? They're coming coming to work every day. They're teaching it. you know, we we really need to start figuring on and voting on what's more important and what matters and and
I think it's the students, the parents, the teachers, the faculty. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um, >> go ahead. >> Yeah, I was just going to ask to John. Um, you know, I I think yeah, Mr. Lugos
has has a point that you know yeah we can spend that $9 million $ 8.5 million on a lot of things but very soon it's not a lot of money $9 million is going to run out soon and after that what do we do if we want to
have you know um build AC or >> repairing roofs so we would have borrow loans right and what how many years of terms loan we can have right now usually >> I mean >> it's short term right so >> it's short term you're looking at five years. Okay. So, it's that's it's
challenge. >> That's very that's very hard. You know, you have to pay a lot of money. You pay pay it back very quickly. But with this nine with this land, we can apply for the energy saving program which is enable us to borrow a long-term loan. I
understand right 20 years loan with like $50 million. Is that right? >> Yeah, that's accurate. If if we do something in terms of uh an energy savings incentive program districtwide, um we will be able to tap into um leveraging a loan that has a much uh
more favorable term and rate in the neighborhood of 20 years. >> Yeah. And so let's say we borrow $50 million for 20 years. What's our annual payment for that $50 million? I mean, ballpark 50 at on a 20-year term, uh,
probably at three and a half, you're probably looking about, you know, $3.6 million a year. >> Okay? So, it's it's it's just like a buy a house. You pay a down payment of $9 million, but you can get $50 million to use in the next 20 years, but only add
$3 million for the taxpayers. Am I correct? >> Correct. Yes. Now, can we take the same $50 million EIE loan without a land with our schools that we have? >> We could we could probably um you know
do a secondary EEP. Yes. Even without the land um right because it's a district-wide initiative, >> um yeah, you'd probably be able to do something very similar. Yes. >> Okay. So, it it No, the purchase of land is not to get the loan. It mutes that point, right? You can get the same loan
without purchasing a land. Okay. Anyone else? Motion to adjurnn. >> All in favor? >> I >> thank you.